Book Review: Dreams so Big by Steve Peifer with Gregg Lewis

This is the story of a family who moves to Kenya as short term missionaries in order to overcome the death of their new born son. But, surprise-surprise, God has bigger things planned for this family and their one year commitment turns into a lifetime journey for service and discipleship.      

This book was a huge inspiration to me and my family. The story was not only immensely interesting but wonderfully well crafted as well. God’s hand is definitely all through this book. From the beginning whispers urging  a husband to make his wife’s dreams come true to the masterful telling and publication of their story, He is present.

I believe the title is an apt one. Dreams are one of the catalysts for the Peifers' journey. Also, the book inspired me to dream big. A key message I learned from this book is that God puts dreams into our hearts for a reason. No dream is too big or too small for him to fulfill, if He is the One who has given it to you. I plan on recommending this book to many people, as well as re-reading it several times. It is very touching and the truth of it makes it even more so.

If you enjoy this book I also recommend Kisses from Katie by Katie B. Davis.

 

PS: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my review via the booksneeze program. This statement does not apply to Kisses from Katie.

Things I Want to Bake Before Moving to South Korea

As I am a list maker by nature, I have been thinking of things I would like to bake before we head over that great big ocean.

My list includes:

• Avocado Truffles....the second part of my challenge on Hot Glue Baking
• Macarons  ....are these as hard as they look?
• Boston Cream Doughnuts...my husband asked challenged me to make these for him)
• Fried Cupcakes...these have been on to my "to do" list for sometime now- they even made it on my 101/1001 list.
• Mini Chocolate Soufflés
• Coconut Macaroon Cupcakes....after seeing this mouthwatering picture on pinterest how do you NOT want to?

 

Pic from http://www.gigiscupcakesusa.com/coconutmacaroon

• A Cupcake Project Recipe...any suggestions? I'm leaning towards either the Ultimate Chocolate or Wine and Cheese........perhaps I can use the ultimate chocolate recipe as the base for my coconut macaroon cupcakes instead of the devils food it calls for. I'm liking this idea...
• A Brown Eyed Baker recipe....I'm thinking Cinnamon Raisin Walnut Bread
• And last but not least, Francine Bryson's Chocolate PB Bacon Pie

What's on your baking "to-do" list? Do you have any good recipe suggestions for any of the things I'm looking to make?

PS: I'm on the lookout for a good fruit pie recipe

Korea Calling!

In case you haven't heard...the hubby and I are trying to move back to South Korea where we will both be teaching English.

Mike taught there while we were engaged and I was fortunate enough to visit. We have most of our paperwork lined up and have applied for many jobs.

Now we're just waiting got the right job, in the right city.

We will most likely be taking a couples position at the same school. The school will provide our housing as part of our contract.

We'd appreciate your prayers as we start down this journey.

Americas Best Baker

Did anyone watch this show on CBS?

I was astounded by who one, but love the show regardless. (I was rooting for Francine. She is my home girl after all. I wonder if she'd mind if I stopped over for some of that pie!)

I thought Darlene, Elaine and Effie were all really good too.

But the show has got me thinking. Many of the bakes I've never attempted. My baking bucket list as definitely grown thanks to this show.

I'm curious....

What do you think are recipes that every good baker should know how to make?

It's a prize!

Yenta Mary of Food Floozie has given me an award!

 

Yenta Mary is quite possibly my favorite food blogger. Her blog stars fabulous recipes and features great local places to eat on the cheap. Reading it makes me want to take a trip to Michigan. (PS: She has red kitchen cabinets that I adore  !)

The rules of the award are that the nominee must:

- link back to whomever awarded the prize
- state 11 random facts about him- or herself
- answer the 11 questions from the award giver, and then - finally!
- nominate another 11 bloggers and devise 11 questions for them to answer.

11 facts

1. We're looking into moving back  to South Korea. My hubby lived there before and we feel called to go back. Our recruiting agency actually called while I was typing this.

2. I'm in the process of writing a book or two. More later on that subject.

3. I love baking and trying new flavor combinations. Especially with cupcakes.

4. I love the old shows like Gilligan's Island, Petticoat Junction, Green Acres and I Love Lucy .

5. I am in love with Captain Jack Sparrow. And my best friends boyfriend does a darn good impression of him. Its his looks, his mannerisms and quite possibly that I am where the rum went.

6. I love Reisens but I rarely buy them because they're so darn expensive. Maybe once I'm done paying off my student loans.

7. I went to a college just for women.

8. I love jokes. However, I am terrible at telling them.

9. I love to talk on the phone and prefer it to texting. I love random, how are you doing phone calls.

10. I really really enjoy shopping for gifts and putting together care packages for my friends.


11 Answers 1. What is the first thing you'll ask God when you get to Heaven?

Oh wow. I'm sure it will take me awhile to get over being speechless. He is so magnificent, so Holy, I can't even imagine what it will be like to be in His presence.

 2. What is your favorite "me time" indulgence? Reading all day long....oh and shopping without looking at the price tags!

3. What is the word or phrase you overuse the most? "Really?"

4. What is your favorite side dish at Thanksgiving? Cornbread stuffing. oh man

5. What is your most cringe-inducing, most appalling, most ridiculous dating story? I'm going to plead the 5th on this one.

6. What has your greatest accomplishment been so far in 2013? I've started the book God is leading me to write. I lead a group in prayer for the first time.

7. What website do you check most often throughout the day? facebook, pinterest, blogger

8. It's Christmas in July; in your letter to Santa, what are you asking him to leave under the tree for you? a red convertible  beetle!

9. Have you ever been to Michigan?no

10. If so, when, where, why? If not, why not??? I just haven't gotten there yet!! I'd love to come hang out.

11. What is your favorite kind of pie? chocolate rum pecan

11 bloggers

1. Kristen of Yada Yada Yada
2. Shelly of Life is a Many Splendored Thing
3. Mary Jane at Joy in the Morning
4. Brenna at By God's Southern Grace
5. Chef in Training
6. Finding Joy in My Kitchen
7. Carmen at Life Blessons
8. Mandy at Mandy's Life After 30
9. Jennifer at More than a Mommy 
10. The Answer is Chocolate
11. The Baking Robot

11 questions

1. Are you going to Heaven? Why or why not?
2. What's your favorite book? Why?
3. What's your favorite flavor cupake?
4. Whats your signature dish?
5. Where did you take your favorite trip? What made it special?
6. How would you describe yourself in one word?
7. If you won the lottery what would be the first thing you'd do?
8. What's your favorite website?
9. What is your favorite summer activity?
10. Favorite cocktail?
11. Who would you like to meet?

goodies

Every month I gleefully await for the arrival of a very special box.

And then the day comes when it arrives on my doorstep....

 

My goodies subscription box!

 

I pay $7 per month for this box of deliciousness to be delivered to my door. Every month I get 5-7 "samples" of snacks. This is a high point here, as the "samples" are often times full product sizes. This is why I unsubscribed to the snack box I previously subscribed too. The service I previously used cost $10 a month and included 5-7 mini bites.

 

I am almost always pleased with the contents of my box. I love to discover new tastes.

 

Inside June's box was:

 

 

1. gimME cheddar cheese flavored seaweed snacks (seaweed was a BIG good in S. Korea)

2. Lay's Stax...Adobadas flavor

3. Smooch--a fruit puree/mashup type snack that you suck out. (liked the snack but not a fan of the sucking apparatus)

4. Highland Shortbread cookies. Two cookies in a pouch. Perfect size. Perfect texture. Perfect taste

5. A pouch of Pringles Stix..cheddar flavor

6. A shot size of Dream Water, a supplement that claims to help you sleep. While all of the products were welcomed, I was quite unhappy to discover a "supplement" in my snack box. It is going directly into the trash.

 

Overall, the box is well worth the money. I'm delighted each month. Other boxes have included, hot fudge, organic ketchup, olive oil, a tote bag, guacamole, candy, tea, cookies, brownie brittle (my ultimate favorite) baking mixes, chip clips, beanitos, granola bars and a whole assortment of other foods.

 

Also, you earn points as you review the products in your boxes. I've just earned enough points to score a free month!

 

What subscription boxes do you use? Have you tried goodies?

 

PS: While I do subscribe to goodies, I received a free box in exchange for a review of the product