What draws you...

... to reading a book.  The title, the author, the summary?

You know I like to share book reviews with my peeps. I've come across an author who has really caught my interest. I enjoyed history when I was in school, but truthfully not much of it has stuck.
So when I came across books by Sarah Sundin, they gave me a new insight into some of America's history.

Sarah's books are based from World War II, when our country was in the middle of fighting the Nazi invasion. Her stories are so interesting and down to earth. I feel I really  know the people who are affected by these war stories. I enjoy a good love story, but Sarah has done such an outstanding job of researching the lives of the pilots who flew into enemy territory and the flight nurses who flew with the wounded in cargo planes. 

I'm finishing up my sixth book by this author. If you like a good romance, and have any little interest in the way wars were won back in the 40's, I would recommend reading any of Sarah Sundin's books. 

Let's have tea

I'll get the tea ready.

Please have a seat. We can catch up while we enjoy fresh baked scones.

Ah, the tea has bloomed. Cream? Sugar? One lump or two??

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

A Return to Loveliness

Friends Sharing Tea

Sunday Morning

Harvest Moon

Changing the tablecloth and the centerpiece takes these autumn dishes to a new level.

My latest Goodwill find. Silverware by Lucky Wood.

My fall tablerunner.

Welcome to my Harvest Moon table.

Fall into Fall

Roses of Inspiration

Tablescape Thursday
Home and Garden Thursday

Home Sweet Home 
Grace at Home

Mid-Autumn Breeze

I love this time of year. It's the time of year when I sit out on my porch, enjoying the breeze and savoring a cup of tea and a favorite book or magazine.

 Catching up on the latest quilting magazines.

 An easy and delicious dessert that is a staple for our table is Pineapple Cake. I think I've shared the recipe before, but I will add it to the end of this post.

Every day is a delight.

 

Pineapple Cake

In a large mixing bowl beat 2 eggs until light and fluffy. 

Add 20 oz  crushed (in juice) pineapple (undrained), 

2 cups all purpose flour, 

1 cup granulated sugar, 

1 cup brown sugar 

2 teaspoons baking soda.

Mix well by hand. Stir in 1 cup chopped nuts and spread in an ungreased 13 x 9 x 2" baking pan. 

Bake @ 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cream Cheese Frosting

3 oz cream cheese (soft)

1/4 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix together with beater, gradually adding 1 cup powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and spreadable.

 

 A Return to Loveliness

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Martha's Favorites

Tea Time Tuesday
Friends Sharing Tea
Roses of Inspiration

Sunday Morning

Ravioli Bake

Do you ever eat at Olive Garden? One of my favorite meals is Portabella Ravioli. In the past I've posted a copy cat recipe for Pasta Fagioli that I created. This Ravioli Bake is very similar to the Ravioli dish from Olive Garden.

Using pre-made ravioli is a snap. I used the Fire Roasted Mushroom variety, which gave it the same rich flavors of my favorite OG meal.

Ravioli Bake

Baby Spinach, chopped

Portabella mushrooms (lightly sauteed in olive oil)

Italian-blend shredded cheese

Alfredo sauce

Pre-made ravioli (your flavor choice) found in the cheese section of your grocery store (I use two packages for my family)

optional - cooked chicken breast, chopped

Combine spinach, mushrooms and chicken in medium bowl.

Spread about 1/2 cup Alfredo sauce in the bottom of a 2 quart baking dish. Layer ravioli, then spinach mixture, sprinkle with shredded cheese. Repeat with another layer, topping with Alfredo sauce and shredded cheese.

Bake 30 minutes in 350 degree oven.

This was so good! My family raved about it. I'd love to hear if you try it.

Foodie Friday
Cup of Morning Joe 
The Alder Collective 

Welcome Fall

I love decorating for fall. The warm colors add so much to the table.

Last Christmas, my sweet hubby gave me this amazing set of Johnson Brothers china. A whole setting for twelve!

 Silverware Venetia by Oneida

I found this old wooden box during one of our travels. A great find and fun to use as a centerpiece.

 Gorham Midnight Mist stemware

Welcome to my table.

Fall into Fall

Friends Sharing Tea
Roses of Inspiration

Tablescape Thursday
Home and Garden Thursday

Home Sweet Home 
Grace at Home
The Alder Collective 

Sunday Morning

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he does shall prosper.

Psalm 1:3

Streams of Mercy - a review

 

This is the first book I’ve read by Lauraine Snelling. Although the writing is good, I found the book confusing. Too many characters, some in one household, others extended family. Slow moving at first, it was difficult for me to follow the story line, as many elements appeared to have happened in the first two novels.

The characters are pleasant and show much Christian love. The onset of a devastating disease in the little town of Blessing rang true to me. Having lost a sister to this very disease enlightened me to how deadly it is.

If you enjoy historical fiction with a Norwegian flare, I would recommend this book only after reading the first two. Ms. Snelling is an excellent author which kept me reading.

This book was sent to me as a pre-publication by Bethany House for my honest review. 

History on a Stick

Recently I read about these signs that mark historical places along the highway. I've seen them as we travel, but never really paid much attention to them. There is an interesting article in Our State Magazine called History on a Stick . I'm not sure how many states actually post these history capsules, but these are the links that I found online.   North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.  So next time you are traveling, watch for these signs. Maybe you can catch a key word and look them up online.  Or just stop and read a little bit about the history of that area. You just never know what you might find. ​Outdoor Wednesday

A Fall rerun

I've not had much time this week, so today I'm posting a fall rerun.

Winter Spice is such a delightful tea to warm up on a cool and rainy afternoon.

Individual tea pot - Hall
Teacup - Autumn Delight - Johnson Brothers
Plate - Nikko

All Goodwill finds

~~~~~

Tea Time Tuesday

Fall into Fall

Friends Sharing Tea
Roses of Inspiration

Tablescape Thursday
Home and Garden Thursday

Home Sweet Home 
Grace at Home
The Alder Collective 

Sunday Morning

Autumn Fires

In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!

Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.

Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall! 

Robert Louis Stevenson

Spiritual Sunday

"I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul."

Psalm 31:7

When troubles come my way, they can trip me up and send me down a difficult trail. Sometimes I feel like a chocolate soldier, one who melts under the stress of unbelief. When I am anxious my life becomes tossed and turned like a ship at sea. 

But the promises of God are everlasting. His unfailing love washes over my soul and gives me the strength to continue the battle. 

"He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ."

Phillipians 1:6

When we trust the promises of God, we sever the root of our anxiety.

"The omnipotence of God means eternal, unshakable refuge in the everlasting glory of God no matter what happens on this earth."

John Piper

Spiritual Sunday