Saturday, November 5, 2011

Christian Fiction Book Club - Dancing on Glass by Pamela Ewen

EdgyInspirationalRomance 
 Here's my review for this month's book for the Christian Fiction Book Club. Julie is hosting over at My Only Vice so go check out what she has to say and others who have linked to her blog.

Dancing on Glassby Pamela Ewen is about Amalise Catoir a young woman studying law in New Orleans in the 1970’s. She meets a man named Phillip Sharp who she finds both charming and disturbing. Her naiveté from growing up shielded in a small town keeps her from recognizing the danger Phillip poses and despite warnings from friends, family, and her own good judgment she embarks on a relationship with him. This book is about the choices we make and how we deal with the consequences. Amalise learns you can’t pretend everything’s okay and it will all go away.
This book was difficult to read. Often I just wanted to shake Amalise. There were so many signs for what kind of person Phillip was but she continued to let him manipulate her. I have a very hard time empathizing with people in this situation. Anyone who justifies abuse against themselves needs serious prayer because that is a vicious cycle to get out of. I’d like to think that I would be different, but I guess you don’t know until you’re there.

Friday, November 4, 2011

...And Many More

A few weeks ago Lee and I went out to PJ's White River Lodge in Norfork, AR which is a little B&B on the White River. Lee and I try to get away every 6 months or so just to hang out by ourselves and look back over the last 6 months of marriage. We didn't really get the chance to do this on our anniversary a few months ago since I was finishing up my thesis, then we went to Glorieta, then school started. Glorieta was nice but we didn't have much alone time. I bought a Groupon a while back for PJ's and we were finally able to use it a few weeks ago. It was such a nice drive, there and back. Plus we were able to eat a nice steak dinner at the attached restaurant. I'd love to go back and stay longer.
Gorgeous view on the drive home

Attempt at self-portrait

Yes, that is Lee crawling back through the fence we had to cross to take the picture. Shhh, don't tell.
So, Lee had his 27th birthday this past Wednesday. Lee's not a big birthday (or any kind of celebration) fan, but of course I had to do something for him since I love birthdays. Lee doesn't really like deserts, but he has recently discovered he likes cheesecake. I attempted to make him a cheesecake for his birthday and it actually turned out pretty well. It wasn't super pretty to look at but it tasted good. It didn't crack which I count as a success, but it did get a little brown on top. If anyone knows how to fix that let me know. I got the recipe here, and it's not my Aunt Lori's famous cheesecake, but it's still pretty good. I also got Lee a Razorback money clip since he'd been using an old binder clip for a while. His new one looks a little nicer.

Yummy cheesecake. Cherries were added later.
New money clip vs. old money clip.
 So that's what's been going on with us. What's been going on in your neck of the woods?


The Groupon link is a referral link. If you haven't signed up for Groupon yet you really should. There's some great deals there.


Thursday, November 3, 2011

Scarf weather...or is it

So I know Arkansas weather is always crazy, but this has been nuts. It will be in the 70's one day and then in the 40's the next. Ridiculous. So I get all excited about getting to wear coats and scarves and boots and then I can't because I'm dying from a "heat wave." First world problems, I know. I am wearing a scarf today so I thought I'd share this with everyone. Other than being awesome because it shows 25 ways to wear a scarf, it's also just a cute video. I used the "Fake Knot" today. Enjoy.