"What the Bayou Saw" by Patti Lacy

Today Christian Ficion Blog Alliance has given me the privelege of reviewing "What the Bayou Saw" by Patti Lacy.


Sally Stevens lives in Normal, Illinois and teaches at Midwest Community College. It is 2005 and Hurricane Katrina has brought about the issue of racism to the forefronts of the minds of Americans once again.

Shamika did not report to class. Mrs. Stevens liked Shamika and was very concerned by her absence. Before the period had ended a knock came to her classroom door. Detective Price stood there waiting with questions needing answers. He informed Mrs. Stevens that Shamika had been raped and beaten. Earlier that morning Mrs. Stevens had been in a "situation" by some of her students in regards to her kindness towards Shamika. The young boys wore swastiska's and didn't like blacks.

In "What the Bayou Saw" Sally deals with racism as much today as she did in her younger days. As she goes on with life, her past is catching up with her and her lies are as well. For me, I couldn't put it down because I had to see how and what happened to Sally in her youth and how Shamika and her Aunt handled the situation. Truth is unraveled slowly in this book and it keeps you turning pages! I would recommend this book, it is filled with Suspense, Lies and a woman who hears the Lord and wants to do things her way until she relents....finally. That is something I can relate with for sure :) Watch the vlog and see what you think




The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0825429374


love and blessings

Short. Sweet. Too the point.

Talked to my Dad this morning. He was on his way to Mayo to receive an IV treatment of just fluids for hydration. They will be doing this once a week now in hopes this will help strengthen Dad. He sounded somewhat better but is still very weak. He is still having alot of problems walking, stumbling, getting up out of his chair. He fell again. His chest pain is gone and has not returned ~ Thankyou Lord! He said he feels that is was just the chemo meds and I am soo very thankful there has been no sign of it returning.

Some of you have asked for an update on my shoulder. Honestly, it is still slow and I am still in ALOT of pain. I began Rehab last week and on the first day that they actually did the exercises and stretched me, I was humiliated. I got through the exercises pretty good but when I went to the table to be stretched after about the 2nd one I was in tears. It was excruciating!! She didn't stop either. She recommended I take pain meds before I come in next time and I looked at her and said "I did take them before I came today"....."OH." she says. We continued on with the stretching and so did my tears. I was so embarassed but honestly I couldn't help it.....It just was horrible. I return this week 3 times and to be quite honest I am scared to death. The Rehab nurse said I am only 25% of where I should be and she mentioned that I may have to return to have my dr. perform a "manipulation" on me. That is where they would put me asleep and go into my shoulder and move it so that I can move my arm. This is not something I want to do AT ALL!

I am just asking for my prayer warriors to pray for my Dad and for this shoulder situation. I trust the Lord has all under control, HE has a plan for each and everything that needs to be done.

Thankyou to everyone ~ it means so much knowing that you are going into the Throne room on our behalf ~ I love each and everyone of you!

Book Review

I just LOVE how the Lord brings things into your life at the PRECISE time when you need it most! But that is just how OUR Father is....HE just loves us so. For me, this book came at such an appropriate time!

Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain ~ Uncover the hidden potential in life's most common struggles is written by Paul Meier, MD and David L. Henderson MD.

What... you ask are life's most common struggles? According to Dr. Meier and Dr. Henderson, they are:

Injustice
Rejection
Loneliness
Loss
Discipline
Failure
Death

"The first paragraph in the Introduction says this:

Edward Payson, a 19th Century minister in Portland, Maine wrote the following words despite losing the use of his limbs to a debilitating illness that eventually took his life:

If God had told me some time ago that HE was about to make me as happy as I could be in this world, and then had told me that HE should begin by crippling me in all my limbs, and removing me from all my usual sources of enjoyment, I should have thought it a very strange mode of accomplishing HIS purpose. And yet, how is His wisdom manifest even in this! For if you should see a man shut up in a closed room, idolizing a set of lamps and rejoicing in their light, and you wished to make him truly happy, you would begin by blowing out all of his lamps; and then throw open the shutters to let in the light of heaven."

WOW!! What a way to begin a book ~ it drew me in and never let me go!

I highly recommend this book to any and all because let's face it ~ who hasn't experienced something in their list I gave above! This book will encourage you in ways that only the Lord can say because as you read it and also read and see each Scripture that these men have placed with each situation you will have your own perspective and your own ears to hear just what the Lord would say to you. I would encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind before reading it because just like anything else ....If you are willing to look within and do what you are being led to do.....changes will be made and a healthier happier you will emerge.

Disclosure: Thomas Nelson sent me this book for free and asked that I give an honest review of this book. I receive no other compensation and the opinion is my humble but honest review.

If you would like to purchase this book please Visit Christianbook.com. Thanks!

Spiritual Sundays

Today I wanted to share my "Jesus Calling" devotional with you all. May it bless each of you that way it did me!


BASK IN THE LUXURY of being fully understood and unconditionally loved. Dare to see yourself as I see you: radiant in My righteousness, cleansed by MY blood. I view you as the one I created you to be, the one you will be in actuality when heaven becomes your home. It is My Life within you that is changing you from GLORY TO GLORY. Rejoice in this mysterious miracle! Thank Me continually for the amazing gift of MY SPIRIT within you.

Try to depend on the help of the Spirit as you go through this day of life. Pause briefly from time to time so you can consult with the HOLY ONE inside you He will not force you to do his bidding, but HE will guide you as you give HIM space in your life. Walk along this wondrous way of collaboration with MY Spirit.

So all of us who have had the veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord ~ who is the Spirit ~ makes us more and more like HIM as we are changed into HIS glorious image. 2nd Corinthians 3:18 (NLT)


Bless you my friends ~ for other posts please visit here

Thank Goodness Its

you have to really listen to his chair.....and wait for it ......wait for it





Everyone have a blessed and joyfilled Friday

Tried and True recipes - DESERTS -

Today over at Kims you will be able to find some really wonderful deserts!! I have gotten soo many wonderful recipes this week and I just sooo appreciate Kim for hosting this wonderful Tried and True Recipe week! So without further ado...adue...aadoo?? however, you spell that word LOL here is our family's tried and true favorite desert(s).

This Apple Pie is AWESOME and it is sooo pretty but trust me it doesn't last long! My DH makes this for every holiday not just Thanksgiving. Our kids ask for it on birthdays as well. I must give honor to my late Mother-in-law ~ for this is her awesome and amazing recipe.

Apple Pie

5 -7 Granny Smith apples
3/4 to 1 c. sugar
2 T flour
3 T. red hots
2 t butter
dash of salt
pie crust ~ store bought or make your own

Peel and Core apples and slice thinly. Combine flour, sugar, red hots, salt and mix with apples. Line 9" pie plate w/ bottom of pie crust and fill w/ apple mixture. Dot with butter. Put on top of the pie crust pinching the sides. Save the extra crust and put aside. Slit top of the crust and sprinkle with a bit of sugar. Take the extra pie crust and use cookie cutters according to the holiday and cut out cute pie toppers and place on edge or in center according to how much extra dough you have. It makes such a cute added touch! Leaves for Thanksgiving, Trees for Christmas, Hearts for Valentines ~ you get the idea
Cook for 45-50 min @ 400' or until golden brown on top.

NOTE:::: LINE OVEN WITH TINFOIL BC THIS OOZES OUT BIGTIME! if you don't use a really deep pie pan

This is our other favorite desert and from my Nana. It is a classic but I just received this recipe last year so it is so very precious to me!

Classic Chocolate Sheet Cake

2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1/2 t. salt
2 sticks butter or margarine
1 c water
3 T Cocoa
2 eggs beaten
1 t. soda
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 t. vanilla
stir flour, sugar, add salt. Combine butter, water and cocoa and bring to a boil. Mix with dry ingredients. Combine eggs, soda, vanilla and buttermilk and beat into mixture.

Grease and lightly flour 10x15 cookie sheet and pour in cake mixture.
Place in Oven 15-20 min @ 350'

While the cake is baking prepare the Icing!
1 stick butter
4 T cocoa
4 T buttermilk

Place butter is pan and melt then add cocoa and buttermilk and bring to boil. Remove and add 1 t. vanilla and 16 oz powder sugar.
Pour on cake as soon as it comes out of oven.

This is the BEST AND MOISTEST CAKE you will EVER eat!!!!

I want to thank all of you for your prayers yesterday while I attended my first rehab for my shoulder. Let's just say it was tough and it's gonna take a bit before they can start to strengthen my arm because my range of motion is no where near where I should be BUT we will get there.

I wanted to ask for prayers for my dad. I talked to him last night and he has been experiencing some chest pain and is very weak from the round of chemo already. He slept most of the day on Wednesday and unfortunately his doctor did not call in regards to this chest pain. My stepmom is concerned as am I, but I know the Lord is on the Throne and is hearing the cry of my heart and the prayers of each one of you! Thankyou Lord for what you are doing in my daddys body, heart, mind, soul, and Spirit!


Love and Blessings

Main Dish Recipe with Kim and Thanks to those who Serve

At our house we love a Turkey but one year we finally tried deep frying it and OH MY....It is the juiciest, most tender Turkey you could imagine! So for us we are hooked on cooking ours this way:

Deep Fried Turkey ~ McGhee style

Prepare the turkey removing everything from the inside and wash the bird well, inside and out patting it completely dry so this will reduce the intense splattering that could occur when lowering turkey into the oil.

Injecting the Turkey:

There are many choices for injections. Store bought or homemade. If you opt to make your own homemade version just be careful that you don't put something in the marinade that won't pass through the syringe. Make sure that you purchase a syringe that is made for injecting marinade :) If you purchase store bought marinade you pretty much can choose any type and if you have a "specialty meat market" they are sure to have special marinades and great advise from their employees as well.

You must use a turkey fryer. We fill ours with peanut oil to the proper level as per instructions. They fryer will also give you the proper cook time as per poundage of turkey. Lower very slowly into fryer and make sure to NOT OVER FILL with oil. OIL BURNS.
Most fryers come with a thermometer to ensure that the inside of your turkey is properly cooked so we tend to go by that more than the exact time. It will be golden brown and cooked perfectly. Let stand for 15 min. or so before carving. ENJOY

NOTE: typical cooking time for an avg. size (15lb) turkey is 45 min. ~ Just so you know and can cook according to all the other dishes you are preparing. Instructions will be included but again use thermometer and it will tell you when inside is done.


Also today is Veterans Day and I just want to thank each and every member of the Armed Forces who are serving or have served for their protection, dedication, and sacrifice for our Freedom and to all of their families as well. Our prayers are with each of you.

Love and Blessings

Cooking with Clara

OK.... If you are Rosel and you are here again .....I promise this is my last post for the day ~ LOL


As I said, I have been in the kitchen ALOT and this is part of what I have been doing. I found this sweet grandma Clara on of all places .....YOUTUBE :) and from my great friend and fellow blogger MIKKI




Mikki was given permission from Clara's family to start a little club "Cooking with Clara" and I wanted to share what I have learned and cooked from Clara's cookbook.

This cookbook has some wonderful stories and shares what growing up in the Depression was like. She has such a joyfilled heart and such a wonderful family. I love being able to hear and share in her memories, and with each recipe you learn the story behind it. In Cooking with Clara her ingredients are typically very few and relatively easy. This week I chose Clara's Sugar Cookies




You will need:
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c (1 1/2 stick butter)
3 large eggs
3 c. all purpose flour
pinch of salt

preheat oven 350'

Cream the sugar and butter together. In a separate bowl whisk the eggs and then add them to the sugar mixture.
Add about 1 1/2 c. flour and mix it into the batter until flour disappears. Work the batter into a dough, adding the rest of the flour.

On a clean work surface spread out an even coating of flour. Take a handful of dough and roll it out in the flour, shaping it into a roll.

Cut each of the rolls into 3 in. sections, giving the smaller sections each a couple of small cuts in the middle and then curling the sections into half moons. NOTE: I chose to use cookie cutters and make them festive using leaves, pumpkins etc.





Place the cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake @ 350' for 13 to 15 min.

Remove the cookies and let cool for at least 30 min. before eating them

Clara was always excited to receive these cookies and would divide them with her brother, if there was one remaining they would cut this one in half. The kids were able to have coffee (not alot) and would dip these cookies into their coffee and in her words "We had our cookies day and night, so we were happy."

So in honor of Clara I made a pot of coffee and sat down and enjoyed her Sugar Cookies


Clara's book is available at Amazon.com

Love and Blessings

Tried and True recipes - SIDES -

Today Kim is sharing tried and true recipes for the side dishes. If you would like to join or just find some new recipes please go HERE.

Today I am going to share our families favorite and MUST HAVE side dish....

Potato Casserole by Loren

2lb. thawed frozen hashbrowns
1/2 c. melted butter NOTE LATER: you will also need 1 stick of butter for topping
1 t. salt
1/4 t pepper
1/2 c. chopped onions or I use Onion Powder (1 t.) if you aren't an onion lover
1 can cream of chicken
1 pt. lite sour cream
10 oz. or 2 c. monterey jack shredded cheddar cheese

Mix in a large bowl and put ing. into 9x13 baking dish

now take that other stick of butter and place on stove to melt. Once it has melted pour Cornflake crumbs (found on baking aisle by cornbread mix) into saucepan .....You need enought to cover the 9x13 dish, so I am guessing 2 1/2c. Stir, mixing and soaking up the butter. Spead onto casserole dish making sure to cover every square inch of casserole.

Bake uncovered 350' for 1 1/2 hours


This recipe is a favorite and a MUST HAVE on my daddy's side of the family. I remember many a fights for the uncooked noodles! These are simply divine!

Homemade NOODLES

4 eggs
1/4 c milk
1 1/2 t salt
3 c flour
3-4 cans chicken broth

Mix first 4 ing. thoroughly. Will be "tacky" Make into 3 parts. Flour surface and rolling pin. Roll each one as thin as you can get them. If you put them together to roll and cut put flour in between it makes a cylinder. Slice noodles and unroll each to place on surface to dry. Sprinkle with flour. When dry, shake and dispose of excess flour or it will thicken broth too much. You can freeze them now or if you are ready then it's time to cook. Pour chicken broth into pan and bring to boil. Pour in noodles and cook until done.

Happy Cooking :)

My Daybook

Outside my window... So FOGGY!!! Rain is in the forecast and I can feel it in my bones!

I am thinking... what a wonderful evening we had with our daughter, son-in-law and that precious Grandbaby of ours!! What a JOY she is!


I am thankful for... the teamwork that my family has. We work together so that no one feels overloaded

I am wearing...workout clothes so I can get on the elyptical when I am done with my many posts today :)


I am going...to be starting re-hab this week on my shoulder....I am so nervous and hope it doesn't cause too much pain and inflamation

I am reading...What the Bayou Saw ~ Patti Lacy (my new CFBA review book) Shades of Blue ~ Karen Kingsbury, Schooled (for my son and I am almost done) just finished my Thomas Nelson review book "Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain and will be posting today or tomorrow

I am hoping...that my Dad does not get as weak as he did after his last chemo treatment. That Kat(heart2Heart) and Beth (At HIS Feet) are both feeling better today!

On my mind... How quickly time is going and how I'm sooo not ready for my sweet daughter to be moving out and going to college ....it is going to come way to quickly


Noticing that... I really love learning new recipes and being in the kitchen (which is where I have been so much lately) I hope to be half as good a cook as my mother and grandmother because THEY ARE/WERE AMAZING! But my husband is still way better than I......HANDS DOWN

Pondering these words... Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans5:3-5

From the kitchen... Alot of crock pot meals this week: French Dip Sandwiches, Pork chops, ~ it is a busy week


One of my favorite things~ the friendship of my children......my heart just swells seeing them just enjoy spending time together and laughing, being so silly! They so "GET" each other


From my picture journal... My sweet Rylee ~ she is getting so big!


Love and Blessings