Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock

Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock is a fictional account of a young woman's life at the time of Prohibition. Eve, the main character, tells her story in first-person, taking us from when her family decides to move out of Minnesota and back to the family home in Ohio to her experiences at Marryat Island that summer. Eve is a very black-and-white thinker, things are either right or wrong. In the era of prohibition, she boldly proclaims her beliefs and is confused by others' grayish thoughts on the matter.

This is a story that takes the reader into the era of Prohibition and shows several aspects of that time. There are a variety of characters, some more interesting than others. I honestly don't know enough to tell you if it is historically accurate, but it does open some topics of the time to review. To me it was just an interesting fiction story. It did not grab my attention particularly, but it was not a difficult book to read. It was a nice easy fictional story, in my estimation.

So, would I recommend it? Sure, it's a fine book to read. It wasn't particularly moving or dramatic, but not every story has to be. It was not an objectionable story -- if you like historical fiction you may love this one!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Victim of Grace by Robin Jones Gunn

Have you ever read any of the Sisterchicks books? Or the Christy Miller Series? Sierra Jensen? These are some of the series that were written by the author of my most recent read, Robin Jones Gunn. I have read and enjoyed many of her Sisterchicks books -- light, quick-read Christian fiction books; when I saw this nonfiction book that she had written, Victim of Grace, I wasn't sure what to expect! I am so glad that I read this book and would definitely recommend it to you!

This book is basically an autobiography of parts of the author's life. She is very transparent in her writing; though the details may be different, it is so easy to identify with her struggles. At first I didn't like the title "Victim of Grace" -- victim seems so drastically negative, while grace is something so wonderful -- but as I read the book, I see that the title means that we are recipients of this grace from God even though/when we really don't seem to be looking for it.

I actually read this book with a pen in hand. This is SO not what I usually do. I am not a journaller and usually don't re-read books. However, first chapter, there I was, underlining stuff!! Some of the lines I marked were such as this, ". . .may it be evident that God's goodness is prevailing even when you can't see the final punch line." and "The things we hope for in life can't be wished into existence no matter how delightful or spiritual those possibilities might be." and so many more. I really have marked quite a few passages in the book and will definitely be re-reading it.

Obviously the book is marketed toward a female reader (check out the cover picture!) but honestly, it'd be a great book for men as well. Or for husbands and wives to read together!

It's an easy-to-read book full of great truths and reminders from God. It was an important book for me to read at this moment.

I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Experiments with mulch in the garden!

Every year when it gets to be around mid-July our garden looks VERY lush and green -- with an overabundance of big, tall, hard-to-pull leafy green weeds. :( Yuck.

Soooooooooooo this year we are trying a new approach!! :) We are going to try using mulch :) We are putting down newspapers covered with straw for the walkways and putting dried grass-clippings over the dirt between/around plants. We'll see how it works! :) Hopefully it'll do the trick and make our garden at least not 2/3 or more of the plant matter being weeds :)

Here's what it looks like right now. We'll see as the season progresses!



If you're a mulcher, I'd love to hear your suggestions/comments!!

:)

Our Top Bar Hive!!

Checked out our Top Bar Hive on Monday! Two weeks after they were put in the hive they've done some great work! I am just amazed completely at their production! It's very beautiful and awesome!!

:)

Quick and easy running headband

When I run it drives me crazy to have my hair flapping on my forehead. I always have bangs, but when I run it is very annoying (when the sweat drips into my eyes it isn't too comfortable either!) My quick project tonight was to make a headband for running! :)



Here's how to make one for yourself!

Cut out a rectangle of cute fabric 5 1/2 inches wide and as long as the measurement from behind one ear to behind the other ear.

Also cut 2 of this same size rectangle out of an old cotton t-shirt (or some absorbent fabric).

Stitch the cute fabric to the t-shirt fabric, right sides together, leaving a little opening in the center of both short ends. put it on your head and hold it there with one hand :) while you measure the space left between the ends along the lower back of your head. Use this measurement to cut a piece of elastic (I used 1" wide) -- cut the elastic about 1" shorter than your measurement.

Stretch the elastic and measure this length. Cut another piece out of the old T-shirt :) to make a casing for the elastic, as long as the stretched-out length. Place the elastic into the casing, insert each end into the openings in the main body of the headband. Stitch the elastic/casing to the headband through all layers.

I also made a pleat at each end.

Trim your threads and try it on! :)

Dandelions! :)

Ahhh, dandelions!! I am one of those people who likes dandelions in the lawn :) Truthfully, even before I used dandelions for anything, I just like the look of those yellow flowers dotting the green lawn :) Weird, I know. . .

THEN a few years I discovered dandelion jelly. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!! The recipe I use is from prarielandherbs.com (HERE!) with the only difference that I process it in a boiling water bath, which is not in that recipe.

If you have never tasted dandelion jelly, it is delicious -- tasted quite a bit like honey, but with jelly consistency.

SO-- NOW !! I have just found and tried, just this afternoon, dandelion salve!! I found the directions/recipe for this HERE on thenerdyfarmwife.com (love that name!!) It was very easy to make -- just covered wilted dandelions with olive oil and heated it up for a couple of hours, strained it, added a little bit of beeswax, and voila!




And guess what?! Remember what I said the dandelion jelly tasted like? Well, the salve smells like honey!

I'm definitely going to make more of this and use it for gifts!! Check out the recipe, you may just be inspired to try some yourself!

Gone South by Meg Mosely

Looking for a great summer fiction read? Give Gone South by Meg Mosely a try! :) This is a great clean book with some nice character development. It's enjoyable -- you won't want the story to end!

Letitia, the main character, entertains romantic ideas about her far-back-in-history ancestors; so much so that she purchases their original house and decides to jump full in and form a new life there. She fully expects to be embraced because of her historical ties; however, the reality is much the opposite. Her name alone sets people on edge and turns would-be friends into uninterested enemies.

Despite her disappointments, she finds the time and ability to serve the Lord through opening her home to a troubled individual. She helps this girl through many difficulties and. . .you'll have to read it to get more!!

Is it a romance? Only slightly. There's just a touch of that, not the focus. The focus is really the sweet story. Not really a romance, not history, not a mystery. . .just a good story.

I'd certainly recommend this book! It is one of the most enjoyable books I've read lately!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.