Bread Revolution

Renowned baking author and instructor Peter Reinhart has always been on the forefront of the bread movement—from his seminal work, The Bread Baker’s Apprentice, to today. In Bread Revolution, he explores the cutting-edge developments in bread baking, with fifty recipes and formulas that use sprouted flours, whole and ancient grains, nut and seed flours, alternative flours (such as teff and grape skin), and allergy-friendly and gluten-free approach
A new generation of bakers and millers are developing innovative flours and baking techniques that are designed to extract the grain’s full flavor potential—what Reinhart calls “the baker’s mission.” In this lushly photographed primer, Reinhart draws inspiration from these groundbreaking methods to create master recipes and formulas any home baker can follow, including Sprouted Sandwich Rye Bread, Gluten-Free Many-Seed Toasting Bread, and Sprouted Wheat Croissants.

In many instances, such as with sprouted flours, preferments aren’t necessary because so much of the flavor development occurs during the sprouting phase. For grains that benefit from soakers, bigas, and sourdough starters, Reinhart provides the precise guidance that has made him such a trusted expert in the field.

Advanced bakers will relish Reinhart’s inventive techniques and exacting scientific explanations, while beginning bakers will rejoice in his demystification of ingredients and methods—and all will come away thrilled by bread’s new frontier.
My thoughts: I love to bake, and bread is no exception. So, I was thrilled to see this book come up to revirw! It was different yhen I expected, a lot og the recipes have to do with starters or sprouted grains. That said, different isn't bad! I haven't worked with sprouting my own grains, so I am thrilled to try a lot of these recipes! I know that sprouting your grains is so good for you, I just have been a bit intimidated. This book makes it seem so doable! I look forward to playing with the recipes!
I received this book from bloggingforbooks.org in exchange for my honest review.

Top Ten Characters I would love to dress up as for a costume party

Top ten
1. Emma Woodhouse
Because really, Regency gowns are just gorgeous!

2. Bixby from One Realm Beyond
Out of all the characters, this one dresses the most fun!

3. Esmerelda from The Hunchback of Notre Dame
I like the mental picture that I have of how a gypsy would dress.;) I think it would make a fun costume!

4. Jo March from Little Women
Because Jo has always been my favorite, with her great imagination and big heart.

5. Eowyn from LOTR
I love her clothes, and she is my favorite between her and Arwyn.:)

6. Laura Ingalls Wilder
Again, my childhood fetish for Pioneer things comes up.

7.Nymphadora Tonks from Harry Potter
She is just a fun character and would probably be one of the most fun to dress up like!

8. Katherine Ramsey in The Daughter of Highland Hall

9. Lucy Pevensie

10. Sophie Hatter

Drone Games

While millions of Americans go about their daily lives, halfway around the world an al-Qaeda cell hatches a deadly new terror plot. It's unthinkable in its devastation. It's brilliantly easy in its execution. And it's capable of bypassing all the security measures the United States implemented in the decade since 9/11.

First, a Delta flight crashes into Lake Michigan. Eight hours later, a United aircraft comes down over western Iowa. For the second time since flying was invented in 1903, the US airline industry is forced to a standstill.

The message is clear. Stop flying--ruin the economy. Keep flying--more people will die.

Now Homeland Security Director of Counter-Intelligence Jack Riley must lead an FBI task force in a frantic search to discover and eliminate the plot before more people are killed or the economy crashes permanently. The clock is ticking…..

My thoughts: I feel like the author did a wonderful job moving this story along and bringing it to a terrifying climax! I did think that the story could of used a list of characters at the beginning, since the reader is introduced to a lot of different players within the first few chapters. That said, I think the fact that he had so many different people in the story made it all the more believable! The story is sound and interesting, bringing the reader through a scenario of what could happen. It is an interesting tale and one that will get the reader thinking!
I received this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.

Expectant Parents

Many books focus on prenatal development and the health of a mom-to-be. While Expectant Parents does touch on important issues of pregnancy, its core purpose is help expectant parents understand key issues related to the arrival of a new child in the home, offering practical assistance as they prepare themselves for long-term family success.

It’s often said that babies don’t come with an instruction manual. This book actually provides parents with information and practical steps for writing their own—as they work to create the kind of home and family they choose to build. This includes strengthening their own marriage relationship, setting plans and expectations for parenthood, increasing communication, and preparing for the new stage of their family life that is just ahead. Ideal for first-time parents, this book would also be helpful for couples wanting to explore and prepare for the emotional, physical, and spiritual life changes that come with the arrival of any new child into the family.
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My thoughts: Where was this book, about a year and a half ago? It would of been lovely to have something like this one hand, as we were awaiting the arrive of our first child! None the less, I still enjoyed this book immensely, and I was able to glean quite a bit from it. One of the subjects I would of liked to have thought about before having kids was just how lonely one can feel after making the transition of working full time to just being around my little one most of the time. It was hard! This book would of helped that transition go a lot smoother.
I like that this book has several different perspectives and is about finding the right way for you and your spouse (or, as a single parent) to to parent the wee treasures that the Lord gives us to shepherd and love. I look forward to sharing this book with my friends who are expecting!
I received a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Friday Favorite's

1. Twice clothing
One of my friends inroduced me to this site. It's way fun site. I just received my first order; an adorable Fossil purse, since my current purse was falling apart, and a cute new skirt.
2. Tyndale members club
I stumbled upon this site quite by accident! If you love to read and enjoy free books, then you need to join this site! I have already earned two free books, just from a few surveys on the site!
3. Yerdle
This is just slightly addictive! It's a site where people are able to get rid of unwanted items as well as find some fun stuff.. The only thing againsy it is that it is more of an app for Apple products, though they are working on the Android app and their website. Click

Churchless

Churchless people are all around us: among our closest loved ones, at our workplaces, in our neighborhoods. And more and more, they are becoming the norm: The number of churchless adults in the US has grown by nearly one-third in the past decade. Yet the startling truth is that many of these people claim they are "looking" for a genuine, powerful encounter with God--but they just don't find it "in church." What are they (or we) missing? How can we better reach out to them? What can we say or do that would inspire them to want to join a community of faith? Containing groundbreaking new research from the Barna Group, and edited by bestselling authors George Barna ("Revolution") and David Kinnaman ("You Lost Me"), "Churchless" reveals the results of a five-year study based on interviews with thousands of churchless men and women. Looking past the surface of church attendance to deeper spiritual realities, "Churchless" will help us understand those who choose not to be part of a church, build trust-based relationships with them, and be empowered to successfully invite them to engage.
My thoughts: This book came into being at a good time, with a lot countries becoming post-Christian, and then with more and more Americans opting to no longer attend church. It has long been a top priority at congregations to figure out just how to reverse these statistics and help people to find what they are seeking at church and in a personal relationship with the Lord. This book is just the resource needed to accomplish that! Filled with data and ways to apply the information to helping those around you find a church home, this book is excellent!
I received a copy of this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

The Miracle of the Kurds

The Remarkable Story of Hope Reborn in Northern Iraq
They are the largest people group in the world without a homeland of their own. Despised and persecuted the world over, they even call themselves “the people without a friend.” Sadaam Hussein tried to wipe them from the face of the earth, killing several hundred thousand of them in the attempt. Their sufferings have become legend.
They are the Kurds, descendants of the ancient Medes best known today from the pages of the Bible — inhabitants of what the world now calls Northern Iraq.
Yet today the Kurds are rebuilding so brilliantly from war and oppression that even their enemies call it a “miracle.” Six star hotels stand where bombs once fell, shopping malls and gleaming schools rise where massacres once occur. National Geographic and Conde Nast have listed modern “Kurdistan" as a “must-see” tourist destination.
My thoughts: I thought this book was interesting, since it gives a history of the Kurds, from the Bible times on down to the current time. One learns to appreciate these people who have been the brunt of some ugly episodes in history. I hadn't heard a whole lot about the Kurds before, so I felt like this book does a wonderful job of explaining who they are and how their history has made them the people they are today. Their story is incredible and is one that readers shouldn't miss!
I received this book from Worthy publishing in exchange for my honest review.
About the author: Stephen Mansfield is a writer and speaker best known for his groundbreaking books on the role of religion in history, leadership, and modern culture. He first came to international attention with The Faith of George W. Bush, the New York Times bestseller that influenced Oliver Stone’s film, W. His book The Faith of Barack Obama was another international bestseller. He has written celebrated biographies of Booker T. Washington, George Whitefield, Winston Churchill, and Abraham Lincoln, among others. Stephen speaks around the world on topics of faith, leadership, and culture. He is also the founder of two firms: The Mansfield Group (MansfieldGroup.com) and Chartwell Literary Group (ChartwellLiterary.com). He lives in Nashville and in Washington, DC, with his wife, Beverly, who is an award-winning songwriter and producer.