Country Blessings

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Rebellious Heart {Review}

I have to say that this was one of my favorite books to read! I couldn't put it down! In Rebellious Heart, Jody Hedlund does a great job of keeping your attention with a story full of suspense and romance. I've read and enjoyed a few of Jody's books, but this one was definitely my favorite! The story is set in the revolution era, so if you enjoy that time period along with a great story, you will love this book too. Even if you don't particularly love that I era, I still highly recommend reading Rebellious Heart!

From the back cover:

Massachusetts, 1763
A Love That Would Shape History Forever
Because she's a woman, higher learning was always closed to Susanna Smith. But her quick mind and quicker tongue never back down from a challenge. And she's determined to marry well, so she'll be able to continue her work with the less fortunate.

Growing up with little to his name, poor country lawyer Benjamin Ross dreams of impacting the world for the better. When introduced to the Smiths he's taken by Susanna's intelligence and independent spirit, but her parents refuse to see him as a suitor for their daughter.

When the life of a runaway indentured servant is threatened, Susanna is forced to choose between justice and mercy, and Ben becomes her unlikely advisor. But drawing closer to this man of principle and intellect lands her in a dangerous, secret world of rebellion and revolution against everything she once held dear.

I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

Blessings,

The Secret Keeper {Review}

Although I am finding a few authors of Amish books that I really like, I still think that Beverly Lewis is my favorite! After reading the first two books in the Home to Hickory Hollow series, I was really excited to be able to review another one! The Secret Keeper is just as good as the other ones.

From the back cover:

Come home to Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania--the beloved setting where Beverly Lewis's celebrated Amish novels began--with new characters and new stories of drama, romance, and the ties that draw people together.

Jennifer Burns shocks her family and friends when she bids farewell to her modern life in favor of the Old Order Amish world, settling in with Samuel and Rebecca Lapp.

The people of Hickory Hollow are curious about the beautiful young seeker among them--one handsome Amishman in particular--and Jenny faces many challenges in the Proving time the brethren set for her...challenges of the heart, as well as the spirit.

This was another of Beverly Lewis' sweet Amish stories but had a different twist with an Englisher wanting to become Amish. I really enjoyed this different perspective and found it interesting that Jenny wanted to be Amish despite growing up with a very modern family. I also really enjoyed that Beverly included some familiar characters from past stories. Although the conflict seemed a bit rushed to be resolved at the end and everything worked out a little too neatly, I still really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it or any other of Beverly Lewis' books.

I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

Blessings,

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Tasty Tuesday: Buttermilk Pancakes

I recently shared a couple posts about making homemade baking mix and making your own buttermilk. In this post, I will combine those two ingredients into one of the best tasting pancake recipes you will ever try! These are by far some of the best pancakes we have ever had, they are so fluffy and tasty! I double this recipe for our family of 6.

Ingredients:
2 cups baking mix (or Biquick)
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg

Directions:
Stir all the ingredients together. Pour 1/4 cup scoopfuls on heated griddle or skillet and cook until edges are dry. Turn and cook until golden. Serve with your favorite pancake toppings!

Blessings,

Linked up with:
Raising Homemakers
Far Above Rubies
The Better Mom
Teach Me Tuesdays
Titus 2sday
Women Living Well
A Delightful Home
Raising Arrows
The Modest Mom
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Tasty Tuesday: Homemade Baking Mix (Bisquick)

Since I prefer making my meals from scratch, I don't often buy mixes like Bisquick anymore. Most of the time I don't mind, but once in a while I miss the ease of using it, especially in the morning when making pancakes or waffles. Recently I came across a recipe for homemade baking mix, so I thought I would give it a try. It works wonderfully! As easy and as tasty as recipes using Bisquick! I made up a huge batch of this and am storing it in the freezer so it is all ready to go when I need it.

Ingredients:
5 cups flour, all-purpose or whole wheat (I use my freshly ground soft white whole wheat and it works great!)
1/4 cup baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar or sucanat
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup butter

Directions:
Mix all the dry ingredients together. Cut in the butter with a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture is fine crumbles. You can use it in any recipe that calls for Bisquick or baking mix. It can be stored at room temp for up to 2 months or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Blessings,

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Tasty Tuesday: Homemade Buttermilk

Buttermilk is super easy to make at home. Even easier than homemade yogurt, but similar in that you need to culture the milk. First you will need some buttermilk culture. You can order some from places like Cultures for Health or go the easy way like me. I just buy some cultured buttermilk from the store.

If you start with the cultures you will need to follow the directions your receive for your first batch. After you have some cultured buttermilk, you can use some of that to make future batches. Place about 1/2 cup of the cultured buttermilk in a quart jar and fill the rest of the way with milk. Put a lid on and give it a gentle shake. Then let it sit at room temp for 24 hours. Store in the fridge.

Here's a jar of half used buttermilk that I currently have in my fridge.

The culture kits at Cultures for Health say that some can be used again up to 8 times and some indefinitely. I have found that using buttermilk from the store usually only works for 4-5 times for me, but I usually am buttermilked out by then and need a break from finding recipes to use it in anyway. :) Someday I may need to invest in the starter kit and keep it going though.

Blessings,