Book Review: Her Mother's Hope

It's time for a new book review!  This one ranks up there with the last book review I did on Evidence Not Seen.

First, let me tell you about the author.  Francine Rivers is my most favorite of favorite authors.  She's a quality writer.  She used to be in the secular market, then once she became a follower of Christ, she switched to the Christian market and has been on fire ever since.  To proclaim my love for Francine, I'll just tell you that I have read 20 of her 24 (or so) books.

The latest of her books that I read is Her Mother's Hope.

A summary for you:  This is sort of a walk through family history for Francine Rivers.  While all in the book is not strictly factual, it's inspired by her family.  She tells the story of Marta, the character who would represent her grandmother, and Hildemara, the character who would represent her mother.  Francine displays the complexities that affect Marta and Hildemara's relationship.  Marta treats Hildemara, her eldest daughter, differently than she does the rest of her children as a result of various aspects from Marta's childhood and youth.  Written from both Marta and Hildemara's points of view, the reader is able to get inside the heart of both main characters and experience as they may have experienced.  A great and most-challenging read on family relationships.

Reasons for my love:  Francine writes in a most compelling way, always.  As well, I felt I was understanding each character as if I knew them.  This book switches perspectives often, keeping things interesting, and of course, never boring.  Though largely fictional, the historical connections make this story even more intriguing.

Such a good book, there is even a sequel, Her Daughter's Dream.  I am eager to read this next one :)

How is that for a good book report?  Man, it seems a while since I was in high school, or college, for that matter...

Go grab your copy of this book, it won't let you down!

Meet These Meaty Empañadas

If I could choose one and only one magazine to read for the rest of my life it would be REAL SIMPLE.  Why?  Well, it's really simple...

It helps make life simple!  There are practical solutions to everyday problems, great ideas, money-saving tips, and wonderful, simple recipes.  And speaking of recipes, I often try their recipes.

Below is one such recipe that I tweaked to add meat for my carnivorous man:

Meaty Empañadas


You will need:
3-inch dough cutter (or a round circle of any sort that has a good edge)
two pie crusts
ground meat of your preference (you could use beef or turkey...)
fiesta corn in the can
Mexican cheese
garlic powder
salt
pepper

1)  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2)  Brown your beef in a pan.  Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the meat for flavor.
3)  Once meat is browned all the way, add corn (I eye-balled it, using about half a can) and cheese.
4)  Roll out dough and use circle cutter to create 3-inch circles.
5)  Place about a spoonful of meat mixture onto one half of circle cut outs.  Wet the edge of the dough.  Fold over into half-moon shape.
6)  Using fork, press edges together.
7)  Bake for 20 minutes.

Real simple, huh?  And simply delicioso ;)

I served these up with a side of Spanish rice and some salsa.  Go ahead, enjoy the fiesta in your mouth!

Charm City = Charming

Our ship left and returned to Baltimore's Port of Maryland.  That meant that coming back on Sunday we got to spend a few special hours in Baltimore.  See, I really like seeing new cities and I had been wanting to visit Baltimore for some time (I had heard a lot about it from Marianne and the family since MAnne lived there for a while).

I also really wanted a crab cake.  And I got one!  From one of the top seafood restaurants out there--Obrycki's!  I also learned how to shell a crab...what a messy job.

A smashing good time...(haha, yes, I am really that corny...)

The boys ordered a dozen hard shell crabs to split.  Talk about working for your food...that's what these guys require.

After all that work, we were still hungry ;) so we headed to Little Italy...

Where we encountered this awesome joint,

They have authentic Italian pastries, gelato, you name it Italian-style and they've got it.  Jason had the pistachio gelato and it was definitely a cup of green goodness....yum!

Then sadly we headed home.  But I am glad to say I had a taste of Charm City, and it was indeed, charming.

Freeport the beautiful!

On Friday the ship stopped and dropped.  Dropped us off at Freeport, Bahamas, that is.  We didn't have long there, only about five hours, but it was a beautiful five hours.

We took a van into town and shopped some of the local shops.  Let's just say, if you'd been to one market stand, you'd been to them all.  The beach was within a few minutes walk (this time, unlike in Nassau), and so we spent some time there.  We took pictures, got in the water, Jas looked for sharks teeth (none found there), and I even got to put my Spanish into action for another family photo.  So without further ado, Freeport:

Palm trees might just be the neatest trees out there.  I'm thinking I won't get my palm tree fill in Slovakia.  Sad!

Funny and appropriate.

Can't you just see him with a real handlebar mustache?  For now, seaweed will have to do!

That brings us to the end of Freeport.  And before we fell asleep that night, while preparing to travel the ocean back home, we stumbled upon this movie...

I'm sure you can guess what movie that is...TITANIC, of course.  What in the world!?  What cruise line shows a movie about a sinking cruise liner?  Haha...oh how it made for a peaceful night's rest ;)

I sure am glad to say we made it back safely and there was no Titanic repeat.  We docked and got to spend a little time in Baltimore before heading home.  That's another post for another day...

Cruisin' The Vast Sea

Ahoy, maties!  We just returned from a week aboard the Pride!  It was time for the Palmer Family Vacation and we headed off to the Bahamas for a relaxing week.

Other than dealing with some motion sickness (we'll just say that while my hubby is a deer-hunting, manly man, sea legs don't come easily his way), we had some quality family time spent in the Atlantic.  We were on board the ship for 7 days, making pit stops at Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Freeport.  

It's safe to say that the food and the shows were my favorite things aboard, and Freeport, well, it's color and beautiful beach stole my heart. I know you all won't be surprised to know I took many pictures (though probably half as many as my father-in-law ;)  Hold on to your hat, here they come:

Part of the ship.  Loved the bright blue.

 I felt like a risk-taker dangling over the edge of the ship with my camera ;)

This colorful guy was swimming around an aquarium in Port Canaveral.

Nassau, Bahamas.

It's crazy how a couple of ropes hold that big 'ole ship in place.

A Time Share in the Bahamas, anyone?

Finally a family portrait after the five mile hike to get to the beach ;)

I have to say, it's definitely weird going on trips during the school year/work week, but hey, this is a transition period, right?  And we are thankful for this time to spend with our families before we head off to Slovakia!

A whole post dedicated to Freeport is coming your way (because it was my favorite!)  More tomorrow :)