Wow, What a Book

I don't often finish a book and want to re-read it....but that is exactly what I have done after my first reading of Remembering Isaac, The Wise and Joyful Potter of Niederbipp by Ben Behunin. Of course I am also reading the next book in the series, Discovering Isaac....... I had better read quickly since the third and final book in the series is supposed to be released in July 2010.... I will probably read them all several times....YES, I find/am finding them that good.
Remembering Isaac was on my reading list and in my reading pile, but I had several other books stacked in front of it. When it was chosen for our neighborhood book club selection for May I thought I will get to it, and hopefully through most of it by book club.....there are months when I haven't even read the book by club time, the discussion isn't as good, but I always read them eventually...... However when the May hostess said that she had invited the author to come and speak with us I thought I had better move that book forward and put a little more time into my reading and finish of the book. I am so glad that did.
The lessons taught in this book are so powerful. They are truths that we all know and want to model our lives after. Without giving it all away it is simple to say that through a back door approach we are all taught how to be like Jesus, to be better Chirtians. After listening to author Ben Behunin speak I can tell that he lives these truths, is part of the stories, the people and the experiences he writes about. Ben is a Potter by trade and an author because he had the stories to tell and out of necessity needed to do something else for a bit.....truly God may close a door, but he opens a window.
At book club Ben didn't discuss the book necessarily, but he told his story and how come the book came to be....In his telling I could hear the voices of the people from Niederbipp that he wrote about and I understood better the man behind the book and why he had to write it.
One of the truths that came to me while he was speaking was that we all can receive inspiration through the Holy Ghost if we would be still, listen then act. Another truth that came to me while reading the book is that the best parts of life are found in the simple, small things. This Book has also inspired me to re-think and examine me; to think more about what and who I really want to be and then to have the courage to jump in with both feet and do it.....of course while applying the principles taught in the New Testament and this book.
I could tell you Ben Behunin's story but that you can discover most of it in the books......However I will be more than happy to share the other stuff I learned about him if you will read the books and then discuss them with me.... I think that you will really enjoy them if you haven't already read them.
And if you every have an opportunity to hear Ben Behunin speak or see him at Costco you should take a listen. He also has a Pottery shop where he sells his beautiful pottery........I may just have to go for a visit and to buy....and maybe he will share some of his wisdom.

MCC

Book Looking

I am looking for some good reads for my book group.
I have to pick a book once a year for the group, but it has some parameters....not really set, but a standard assumed by the group. .....clean or christian books fare better than some of the modern stuff out there. We also like reading good Young Adult books, they are usually clean...nothing too graphic, or violent....
I feel so stifled. Not that I usually read inappropriate books, but come on.....The whole problem is that I will read just about anything. So, what I might select as a good book for the group may not be such a good book for the group; and since they are my friends I don't want to offend them and for them to think poorly of me. And then I worry about what might they tell their family, neighbors, co-workers and other friends about me all because I selected the wrong book.......oh the selecting of a book is not only stifling, but stressful.
At Bear Lake I read 4 books. All of them were different genres, all good, not great literature, but they were entertaining to read and for most book groups good selections. In the past 10 days I have read two more books and have started the third, a short series written by a christian author about 3 sisters living in Montana in the 1870's.... ah a christian book .....yes, and they are ok, but not book group worthy.
So what to read.....
A few years ago I selected A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. It is a classic. Everyone had heard of it but very few had ever read it including myself. I really enjoyed it, as did the group. Last year I suggested that we select an author a time period or even genres to read. No one saluted that idea. I then thought it might be nice once again to read a classic; Jane Austin's Persuasion. Everyone reads or has read Sense and Sensibility and Emma tons of times and since Persuasion is not well known and is one of my favorite Jane's we read it...they liked it, but still aren't sold on the idea of reading a classic or something old.
The book I picked for March 2009 was The Master by Toni Sorenson. It is a fictionalization of the life of Christ. We all loved it.....it was a safe choice.
Now why am I caring so much? Well, a while back we read a book that I won't name, and let's just say that it was thought to be a bit much for some of the group members....I enjoyed it as did several other members, but those who did not will not let us forget that we read such and such a book, and that it was picked by so and so.......to crazy. We all make choices that are not the greatest, but we need to live and learn , not dwell on the poor choice...... it was just a book after all, put it down if you don't want to read it.
A few months ago I read Kate Jacobs The Friday Night Knitting Club and Comfort Food. I liked them both, but did I like them enough to use as a book group selection?????
MCC

Chattter

April Showers!
Drip, Drip, Drop......the rain is coming down. At least it looks like April and not winter rain...but the snow is supposed to follow.......

I have decide that my weight loss program and my life need more positive affirmations....I am coming off a bad week of dieting....that is no dieting.
So, now is the time to kick it! I am the best, I am doing this for my health, I am strong, I am invincible, I can do anything....I am woman! (What ever happened to Helen Reddy?)

My book group is reading/just read- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, It is a great book! I am so glad that I read it. I discovered unfamiliar happenings from WWII. I figured out what a lost art letter writing has become...the book is written as a series of letters. I think letter writing makes us better thinkers and writers in general. I am sorry that we don't write "real" letters anymore. I guess I could change that and try to write more real letters for corespondance.
I hope we have a great discussion about this book tonight.

What is for dinner...ahhhhh, I must be getting back to normal. I don't think I have even thought about asking what's for dinner in a very long time. I must be springing awake myself after the dreary winter. Maybe I will blossom and no longer have to wonder what is for dinner.

MCC

Friday Things and Thinks

Friday has arrived ....and with it more rain and snow!?!?!Okay, so I want spring to return, but in the mean time I will have to amuse myself with things and thoughts that make me as joyful as spring.

All Shook Up-- definitely made me feel joyful and spring like.

We took the family the Hale Center Theatre In Orem to see All Shook Up last night. This

musical is scored by 25 songs made famous by Elvis Presley. The story is set in middle America in 1955, but the themes of the story are as old as time....You can definitely find the mix ups and mayhem associated with Shakespeare's comedies, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelfth Night, As You Like it and A Midsummer Nights Dream. The cross dressing aspects of As You Like It and Twelfth Night, Cause this musical to be a real fun comedy. It is fluffy and light, with a happily ever after ending.

I wasn't as familiar with the Elvis music as I was with the plot's inspiration, but I did love the songs and how they author intertwined the lyrics to make the story progress. I decided to see what the Broadway reviewers said about this show since it is one we missed in our New York journeying.....they didn't really love it, but I found one review that said "Were it staged in a pint-size theater with cardboard scenery and a campy young cast, All Shook Up might be a moderate hoot"....which it was at the HCTO. The only thing that bothered me about the whole production was that the had changed up some of the song order form the Original Broadway Cast recording and synopsis that I have....but I got over that. Apparently that is how it was changed for the national tour.

The Little Lady Agency--- Hilarious book series by Hester Browne.I found this series because it had a recommendation from Sophi Kinsella who wrote the Shopaholic books..... Set in Great Britain, but the second book is in the USA, is about Melissa Romney-Jones who runs an agency called "the Little Lady Agency." She is hired to help men sort out their problems, advise them on the real reasons they are social misfits, and tries to dress and shape them up a bit so that they can them take care of things on their own.

Good Food-- Strawberries, yummmmm!

I made Strawberry Cheese Cake Trifle for a get together we are attending to night. While cleaning the strawberries i think I ate a cup of them....my belly aches.

This is a great desert to show off with, it taste great, and looks pretty.

Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle

2 8oz. packages of cream cheese, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

8 oz sour cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

12 oz. Cool Whip. thawed

4 Tablespoons granulated sugar

1 Angel Food cake, torn or cubed into bite size pieces

16 oz. frozen strawberries

Mix together cram cheese, and powdered sugar until fluffy; add sour cream, vanilla and almond extract.

Gently fold Cool Whip into cream cheese mixture: gently stir cake pieces into cream cheeses mixture; set aside.

Combine berries and granulates sugar, stirring until sugar is dissolved.

Layer in a large glass bowl 1/4 of berries, then top with 1/3 of cream cheese mixture; continue layering; finish with berries.

**Fresh Strawberry option

Clean and slice 4 cups of Strawberries.

Make Strawberry Danish Dessert prepare as for pie filling; set aside and slightly cool. Add Sliced strawberries to Danish Dessert. Use this berry mixture in place of the frozen berries and sugar.

Off to find more spring like things.

MCC