Stripped to the Studs

The Mister and I are beginning a new journey in home remodeling (using a contractor, architect, etc. because between the two of us we work >80 hours per week.) In an effort to keep people up to date on this journy, I will be chronically the adventures here if you would like to read along and keep up with what's happening during this phase of our life.  And to not be too mean, here a sneak peak...

Lip Reading -- A Book Review

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Lip Reading David C. Cook (March 1, 2014) by Harry Kraus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Harry:

I started writing my first novel during my last year of surgery training at UK. I was a chief resident, and started writing Stainless Steal Hearts in a call room at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Lexington. It was a crazy time to write! I had a very demanding schedule, often spending days and nights in the hospital. I had two sons at that time, and I recognized the wisdom in my wife's urging: "Now doesn't seem the right time for this dream."

My experience as a writer is far from typical. Having received my formal training in biology and chemistry and medicine, my only preparation for a writing career was a love for reading. The longest thing I'd written before my first novel was a term paper in undergraduate school. My first novel was accepted by Crossway Books and published in 1994, and it wasn't until after I had FOUR published novels that I even opened a book of instruction about the craft of writing fiction. This is not what I recommend to others! Yes, I was successful, but I was bending the "rules" without knowing it. I had a natural talent for plotting, but I realize my initial success may have stunted my growth as a writer. I'd have made faster progress if I'd have gone to the fiction teachers sooner.

I have three sons: Joel, Evan, and Samuel. Look closely in all of my books and you'll see them there. My lovely wife, Kris, provides the basic composition for all those beautiful, athletic, dedicated women in my novels.

ABOUT THE BOOK

She Could Save Millions, or Save Herself

She just needs a little longer. She’s really close. Dr. Rebecca Jackson, a medical researcher, stands on the verge of a breakthrough that will transform medicine. But she soon discovers the reason behind the miraculous progress in her research, and it leaves her with a nearly impossible choice . . . and little time to decide. More than her research is at stake. And more threatens it than this latest revelation. Something she’s tried hard to cover up. There is a high cost to some things in medicine and it’s not always the patient who pays. Can Rebecca find the faith and wisdom she needs to make the right call? The clock is ticking and the pressure is on.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Lip Reading, go HERE.

Favorite Kitchen Gadgets

The Mr. and I are packing up the kitchen so we can start a big remodel/overhaul of the space.  While the prospect of the new kitchen has me giddy with excitement (gas cooktop, double ovens, loads of quartz countertops) the process of getting to the end result means everything must be packed away.  We're turning an upstairs room into a makeshift kitchen (picture your college dorm room with a microwave on a desk) and we'll be utilizing the grill, crockpot, and electric griddle/panini press quite a bit from late April through June.  To ease the packing nightmare, I started boxing up the non-essentials a few weeks ago.  It's been fun seeing what we really don't use, what we can get by without, and holding onto the things we really do love and making do with those items.  As I use the few items that are left out, I thought I would highlight for the 3 of you who still read this blog 3 items I've picked up over the past year, which are still out and being used regularly.

Disclaimer: none of these are affiliate links, I won't get any rewards from Sur La Table or Pampered Chef, I just chose to link you directly to these items in case you want to procure them for yourself.  Each time you use them you can think kind thoughts of me and that is payment enough.

1. Chef's Planet Clip and Drain

 This handy gadget clips onto any size pot to drain pasta, water from hard boiled eggs, etc.  I love that you can just clip it on and don't have to try to hold the strainer and the pot which some models require.  A definite top purchase of the past year.  

2. Chef'n Garlic Zoom Chopper

This little bad boy will mince garlic or ginger in no time flat.  A bit of a pain to clean with the tiny blades inside, but worth the hassle for the ease of mincing garlic or ginger when a recipe calls for it.  You might even be able to chop a small batch of herbs in this bad boy.  I've seen these at several big box and department stores, so these are easy to grab many places.










3. Microwave Grips

Do not let the name fool you, these are good for everything from lifting bowls out of the microwave, to moving a pan around in the oven, to lifting the hot lid off a pot on the stove.  These sit right by our cooktop and are used several times a week.  The ability to pinch the edge of pan and lift it straight up will also come in handy once our new microwave is installed as it will be a drawer rather than a door.  I can't wait!!!!!




So there you have it.  3 things I absolutely love and am thankful that I splurged on each of them.