The Cookies Cookbook: Review

I finished reading  this dessert cookbook by Martha Stephenson.

About The Book

If you're looking for the ultimate cookie decorating book that is packed full of delicious cookie recipes, more so than any other cookies cookbook, you have come to the right place. With the Cookies Cookbook: Over 25 Mouthwatering Cookie Recipes, you will get exactly that. This is an extensive cookie decorating book that contains over 25 sweet tasting cookie recipes and is packed full of helpful information that you will not find in any other cookies cookbook.

The Friday #56

"These cookies are incredibly tasty, making it one type of cookie that even the pickiest of eaters will be begging for."

My Review

I love the book! You'll want to get this one because of the author's very important successful tips shared in the first two chapters. Most of us know that you chill your dough before baking it but there are more steps you don't want to overlook. I like the variety of recipes shared and the layout of the book is well organized. Red Velvet Sandwich and Classic Sugar Cookies are at the beginning, along with Oatmeal and Macaroons. Enjoy Peanut Butter, Snickerdoodles and Ginger Cookies, to name a few. Of course, there's a variety of Chocolate Chip recipes to discover, too.  I especially like the Shortbread, Christmas Gingerbread Men and the Orange Cranberry Cookies that are perfect for the holiday season. The author has a great goal for the reader and that is to be able to take away from this book some helpful cookie making tips and create your own cookie recipes.

5/5 stars. Highly recommend.

About The Author

Martha is a chef and a cookbook author. She has had a love of all things culinary since she was old enough to help in the kitchen and hasn't wanted to leave the kitchen since. She was born and raised in Illinois, and grew up on a farm, where she acquired her love for fresh, delicious foods. She learned many of her culinary abilities from her mother; most importantly, the need to cook, with fresh homegrown ingredients if at all possible, and how to create an amazing recipe that everyone wants. This gave her the perfect way to share her skill with the world, writing cookbooks to spread the message that fresh, healthy food really can, and does, taste delicious. Now that she is a mother, it is more important than ever to make sure that healthy food is available to the next generation. She hopes to become a household name in cookbooks for her delicious recipes, and healthy outlook.

Martha is now living in California with her high school sweetheart, and now husband, John, as well as their infant daughter Isabel, and two dogs, Daisy and Sandy. She is a stay at home mom, who is very much looking forward to expanding their family in the next few years to give their daughter some siblings. She enjoys cooking with, and for, her family and friends, and is waiting impatiently for the day she can start cooking with her daughter.

More by the Author

Cheesecake Cookbook
Mason Jar Gifts
the Cupcake Diaries
Jamaican Cookbook
Clean Eating Cookbook
Best Mexican Recipes in Town
Oreo Recipes
Oriental Chinese Cookbook

Tasty Iced Pumpkin Cookies

Makes: 36 Cookies

Total Prep Time: 1 Hour and 20 Minutes

Ingredients for Your Cookies:

• 2 1/2 cups of flour, all purpose variety
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. cloves
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c. butter, soft
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 c. of pumpkin, canned and puree
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Ingredients For Your Glaze:

• 2 cups of Confectioner's Sugar
• 3 TBL milk, whole
• 1 TBL butter, melted
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Directions to Make Your cookies:

1. The first thing that you will want to do is preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. While your oven is heating up take a large sized mixing bowl and combine your first 7 cookie dough ingredients until thoroughly mixed together. Set aside for later use.
3. Then using a medium sized bowl cream your butter and white sugar together until light and fluffy in texture. Then add in your remaining ingredients and continue to beat thoroughly until creamy in consistency.
4. Mix this mixture with your dry ingredients and stir vigorously until you begin to form a dough.
5. Once your dough has formed, drop it by the spoonfuls onto a baking sheet, making sure to flatten it slightly.
6. Place into your oven to bake for the next 15 to 20 minutes. After this size remove from oven and place your cookies onto a wire rack to cool. While your cookies are cooling, prepare your glaze.

Directions for Your Glaze:

1.  To make your glaze mix together all of your ingredients for your glaze in a small sized bowl.
2. Make sure that you add in as much milk as you need until the glaze reaches your desired consistency.
3. Pour your glaze over your cooled cookies and serve your cookies whenever you are ready. Enjoy!

I have no words... http://skyley.blogspot.com What are you watching and reading?

Blessings,






 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

Life to the Max: Review

About The Book

This digital sampler includes excerpts from selected Max Lucado titles, offering a glimpse into the contents of these six books, all of which can help you live life to the max. Titles include: Max on Life, Outlive Your Life, Fearless, It’s Not About Me, Cure for the Common Life, and Live Loved. Copyrighted by Max Lucado and published by Thomas Nelson.

Contents

1. Max on Life
2. Outlive Your Life
3. Fearless
4. It's Not About Me
5. Cure for the Common Life
6. Live Loved
Notes

The Friday #56

"But then came Nicolaus. Nicolaus Copernicus with his maps, drawings, bony nose, Polish accent, and pestering questions. Oh, those questions he asked."

Snippet from Page 64:

"Da Vinci painted one Mona Lisa. Beethoven composed one Fifth Symphony. And God made one version of you. He custom designed you for a one-of-a-kind assignment." 

I found this free photo online of a street musician playing in Rome, Italy. It fit the quote nicely.

My Thoughts

Love this 5 star sampler. It's very inspirational and comforting to read the pages within. The book passages will help you to grow in your faith and understanding of scripture. The writings will give you insights towards the many books written by Max Lucado that you may want to purchase in the future. I have so many of his books in my library. I personally think the writings of Max Lucado are so thought provoking and very uplifting. The author shares personal experiences, asks some pretty deep questions that beg for answers and this book delivers. My favorite quote: "Heed that inner music. No one else hears it the way you do."

5/5 stars. Highly recommend. Get the book, you'll be encouraged!



Skywatch Friday

I hope January has been kind to you, weather-wise. We're expecting a little bit more rain tomorrow but again not enough to end the drought in SoCal. Heard about the storm on the east coast and keeping family and friends in my prayers... How is it where you are?

Blessings,






 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books

How To Defeat Discouragement

Look to Jesus... God will help you!

For some it seems that with the new year... well, here it comes! You know, the January blues. Why is it that many experience discouragement not just during the coldest of winter months (and especially at Christmas time) but throughout seasons of their life? In helping others, I have often listened to their heart cry, "Every day seems longer than the day before."

Depression is a painful experience, a feeling of hopelessness. Whether you experience rejection, the loss of a loved one or perhaps you are experiencing a child getting into trouble... it all feels the same. Discouragement is an old problem and depression is one of the most common and oldest of all disorders. Depression is a warning sign that we are moving into deep waters. As I gaze upon the girl in this photo, she appears to be preparing a meal and yet pondering if there will be enough food for her brothers and sisters. Her thinking patterns of negative thoughts may dictate an anticipation that her current difficulties will continue and she sees a future life of hardship, frustration and deprivation.

I have read in many counseling books that 'discouragement is no respecter of persons.' It can hit the 8 year old girl as well as the seventy year old, rich or poor and the Christian as well as the non-Christian. So, let me ask the question... How do you feel and act when you are discouraged?

For many, they feel defeated in the struggle and believe there is no hope. In 1 Kings 19:4, Elijah had said that he had had enough of life and had prayed that he might die. But the Lord in His mercy had not taken him at his word. Have you ever felt that way? Read about how Elijah escapes from Jezebel from the Bible Gateway Passage.

Walking it alone.

Here are a few steps to despair:

1. We lose Biblical perspective. The way you perceive your life, your job, and your family is discolored when you are depressed. It seems distractions and deception set in.

2. We focus on problems and disappointments.

3. We begin negative self talk. There is a general loss of self esteem. The person feels less positive about himself and questions his value.

4. Isolates from other believers because of a fear of being rejected. The depressed person cancels favorite activities, fails to return phone calls and seeks ways to avoid talking with others. Basically, he/she pulls away from the church.

Defeating Discouragement

Our Pastor talked about defeating discouragement last Sunday. Pastor Mel at Riverview Church said,

"As new creatures in Christ, believers can face problems with a new perspective and strategy that affirms God's sovereignty."

We need to keep doing the right things. We need to keep moving forward by faith without retreating in fear. (Take action!) 

Choose to believe the character of God. Remember that God is with us even in our discouragement. Choose to rejoice in the Lord! Trust God at His word. (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Choose to share your problems with a trusted friend. Reconnect with God's family. (1 Kings 19:18)

Choose to wait patiently for the Lord to act.  (Psalm 27:14)

God is faithful and will bring a good result. (1 Kings 19:6-10)

One final thought...

Because God loves me He stands with me when I have reached the rock of despair, when I see the real me and compare that with His righteousness, holiness, beauty and love. It is at a moment like this that I can really believe that God loves me. Yes, the greatest of all gifts is God's perfect love!

Be changed by God's word! One place you may want to read your Bible is Bible Gateway.

Blessings,






“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2016– All rights reserved
LadyD Books

A Christmas Fairy: Review

About The Book

The Christmas Fairy
By John Strange Winter, Francis E. Crompton and Mrs. Molesworth

Discover the magic of the 1878 classic short stories Christmas Fairy for children.

"A tall, handsome lady came in, and Shivers flew to her arms."

The Friday #56

"Helena did not reply. She was feeling too annoyed and vexed, and she did not like Freda's wish to hide what had really caused their troubles."

I enjoyed this delightful tale regarding Mrs. Frere and her 3 children, Helena, Willie and Leigh. The beginning is a bit sad with some disappointing news of two boys at school not being able to return home for the holiday because of the long distance to India and also because of the terrible sickness, scarlet fever. Good fortune soon comes their way, and a kind Aunt takes on both boys for the holiday. Alas, there is such a thing as a fairy after all! The children then meet up with the four Kingleys, Sybil, Hugh, Freda and Maggie. So many adventures to read about with their stay in the countryside, seeing water-hens and floundering around in the mud by a chilly stream. Well, one afternoon something comes up and there are lessons to be learned. All in all, a charming story and well written.

4/5 stars. I enjoyed the book.




I have read another eBook from Animedia Company. Here's my review of  A Christmas Hamper.

What are you reading this week that has captured your attention?

Skywatch Friday

We've been experiencing some rainfall and we're so excited about that but unfortunately, not enough rainfall for SoCal to end the drought. We'll take free water anytime. With some frequent passing showers, we've seen a rainbow or two. Happy skywatching!

P.S. We had a warm, wonderful family Christmas. I was surrounded with 3 grown kids, my charming son-in-law and 5 adorable, fun-loving grandchildren. Our New Year's was peaceful and very relaxing. Wishing you many blessings for 2016. Happy New Year!







“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis
© copyright 2015 – All rights reserved
LadyD Books