Amanda Stephan's Blog: God is Good, God is Great, page 16

Banana Bread Recipe

There's something about this time of year.
A major change comes over me, and I must bake something, or I will go crazy.

Any crazier than I already am is a bad thing. Just ask around. ;)
So, I wanted to share some of my favorite recipes with you all.

This one is the standard Banana Bread recipe ~ ooozing banana-y yumminess! You can download it and print it out.

Enjoy!

Lonely Hearts - Banana Bread Recipe Trading Card

I Wanted a Vera

Bradley, that is.

Yes. I've wanted a new purse for a long time now, but I'm cheap. Emphasis on the first syllable. (What? There's only one? Yes. I know this. That's how cheap I am.)

Anyway, the kids and I were at our local Goodwill, and I found a purse by Vera Bradley. Now, normally, I'm not a name dropper, and it doesn't bother me to have the regular White Stag $9.99 special. I don't go buy the name brand stuff. I'm cheap, remember?

But I do like deals. And if I can get a Vera Bradley purse for a cheaper price, then hang on, because I'm running to the checkout and you don't want to be in my way! I just may snatch it out of your hands...

I'm just kidding at that part.

Seriously though, I was super excited to see a purse by V.B., and while it wasn't exactly in perfect condition, it was new to me, and it did still look pretty good. Nothing that a good washing couldn't take care of.

And then I looked at the price.

BOING!

...that was my jaw...

because, even though it was at Goodwill, it wasn't cheap. And I, being the wonderful orator that I am-- *kidding*  --said in a rather shrill voice...

Really?!

So I decided to take it upon myself to dust off my sewing skills and make a new purse. I was even going to go all out and sew an organizer inside, a zippered pocket that would hold necessary stuff like lotion, perfume, hairpins, aspirin, pens, and possibly a small sewing kit. (Don't judge. When that button pops off in the middle of your meeting? Yeah, the one that was keeping you modest? When it pops off, you'll be looking for me and my handy-dandy sewing kit. Haters to the left, please.)

There I was, my grandiose dreams spinning through my head, my several linings laying prostrate on my desk, the zipper having been sewn into the little hidden pocket that I was trying to imitate...

...and then reality hit. Hard.

Especially when my idea to create the coolest hidden pocket ever died right there on my sewing-desk-turned-operating-table.

I was heartbroken. It was a flop. I was going to have to cut another lining piece. Oh wait. Make that two. Well sheesh...

never mind!
And then I thought. You know, praise God that He doesn't make mistakes like we do. Yes, my hair is red and my nose looks like an oinker, and I have a birthmark right there on my...face. (Ick, I know.) And well, let's face it, there's those few pounds (yeah, like 25) that I could stand to lose...but I'm a daughter of

The King.
The Creator of the universe. Yep. I'm His child. He adopted me into His family not because I'm a beauty (HAHAHAHAHAHA...ok. Quit laughing.) and not because I'm witty, pretty, ditty, or silly, either. But because He loved me enough to die for me. And I asked Him to save me from my sins.
I asked.
And received.
How awesome is that?!

Now, dear Lord, about that Vera Bradley purse...


There once was a woman who wanted a Bradley.She wanted it so terribly badly.This woman went homeHer sewing skills to honeThat she wasted the dayAt her desk in play.
But when that night was come, She needed to be done.Because there on her desk,Was a horrific mess.Bits of fabric and fluffAnd lots of other stuff.
This did she To save a pennyWhen all was said and doneShe whined to her hunAnd because she was so cheapHe went to the store without a peepTo get that woman he loved so greatlyThe purse so she wouldn't go crazy. ~Amanda Stephan

The Reichenbach Problem Book Review

About the Book:

The Reichenbach Problem, by Martin Allison Booth
Arthur Conan Doyle is on the run from his own fame. Taking a much-needed holiday, Doyle escapes to a picturesque village in Switzerland nestled beneath the imposing Reichenbach Falls. There he hopes to find anonymity, but even in this beautiful rural setting, peace eludes him when he finds himself immediately recognized and involved in the investigation of a mysterious death of a fellow traveler. All too soon, Doyle's somewhat unwilling, gentle probing into the case causes the finger of suspicion to turn towards him. But can the creator of the famous detective actually do the sleuthing himself? As Doyle learns more and more about the famous character he penned, he finds he is less like Sherlock and more like his sidekick, Watson. Can the "sidekick"� see enough of the picture to solve the case for once? Sherlock Holmes has fascinated readers since he first burst into fiction, over one hundred years ago. In this novel, the first in a trilogy, we meet his author and discover the difficult relationship between them.

My Thoughts:
This look at Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is extremely interesting. Forced to look at his own literary creation and how, if he were to actually meet Holmes, how they would view and react to each other was the satisfying premise of this book.
Well written with just the right amount of detail, Mr. Booth takes us on a most interesting and thought-provoking ride into the psyche of what Doyle might have actually been like - as well as Holmes.

Doyle is a well-mannered gentleman who has the unfortunance to be hounded by the fan - or the fanatic - Holloway who haunts his every step on his much needed vacation away from the pressures of not only his celebrity status, but also of Holmes. Unable to accomplish either, he is unwillingly swept into investigating the death of poor Mr. Brown.

Written much like Doyle's Holmes stories, I found this book to be satisfying in almost every aspect. From the scenery to the end. I would recommend this to those who loved the Holmes stories.
*I received a complimentary book in exchange for my honest opinions. I was not required they be positive.*

Psalm 26 Free mp3 AudioBible Chapter

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Infernal Gates by Michael J. Webb ~ Christian Book Launch + get a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

Christian Fiction FantasyInfernal Gates by Michael J. Webb__________________________________________________________________________________________

About the book:
“Ethan Freeman, ex-Special Forces Ranger, wakes up to discover he is the sole survivor of a fiery commercial airline crash that killed his entire family. His nightmare is only beginning when he becomes the FBI’s prime suspect. Only Ethan knows he’s not a cold-hearted murderer, but he has no idea what happened to him–and why he alone survived.
He finds an unlikely ally in Sam Weaver, the NTSB Chief Investigator. An ex-military pilot, Sam senses Ethan is innocent. She tries to remain dispassionate in her investigation of the crash even as she finds herself attracted to the man who may be America’s worst homegrown mass-murderer.Neither Ethan nor Sam realize that shadowy spiritual forces are at work which will alter their lives forever.A monstrous evil, imprisoned since the time of the Pharaohs, has been released by The Nine, a sinister group of powerful men and women who believe they are the direct descendants of the Anunnaki, ancient Sumerian gods. The demon they have unleashed intends to free The Destroyer from The Abyss, the angelic prison referred to in the Book of Revelation, and unleash a worldwide reign of terror and annihilation.Facing impossible odds, time is running out for Ethan and all of humanity as he is drawn into an ever-deeper conspiracy millennia in the making and learns that he is the key to stopping The Nine. Will he overcome his deepest fears and find reserves of strength he never knew he had as he confronts pure evil in order to save himself and an unsuspecting world?”
Meet the Author:


Christian fiction fantasy writer, Michael J. Webb, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida and obtained his J. D. from the same university. Over the past forty years he has travelled the world in search of adventure. He has always been fascinated by the intersection of the supernatural, the historical, the scientific, and the the Judeo-Christian worldviews. He writes stories that ignite imaginations and stir souls, edge-of-your-seat thrillers that combine those elements, and more, with fascinating characters and suspenseful plots.
 Connect with Michael J. Webbmichaeljwebbbooks@gmail.com Amazon Author Page Website Facebook
Purchase Infernal Gates   
Purchase Infernal Gates
 

Flashback by Kevin Mark Smith ~ Christian Book Launch + Get a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!

Christian Fiction ThrillerFlashback by Kevin Mark Smith________________________________________________________________________________________
Wealthy attorney Kenneth Cartwright is haunted by dreams of a simpler life, one with a wife and family but absent wealth and prestige. As the angelic Stacy helps him sort through the meaning of his dreams, the most important case of his legal career implodes as the client and many involved in the case turn up dead. Will Kenneth survive the case? More important, will reality turn out to be what he expects or does God have something else in mind?

 

 Christian Fiction Thriller Amazon Reviews “The facinating part of this story for me was the unexpected plot twists. I’m getting pretty good at figuring out the end of a story. That doesn’t keep me from enjoying the book though, because I love this type of challenge. However, this book did not go at all as I expected. And yet the story lingers in my mind. Something every author hopes for and so few succeed.”- Sharon Lavy“Some books are easily compared to others. Some authors are easily pegged. I really can’t think of any book I’ve read which brings more complexity to the story, yet does it in such a way as you can “almost” always follow it. I say the almost part with kindness. A lesser author who had the same wild imagination could have easily confused his audience beyond hope of redemption.”- Randy“Mr. Smith writes a very compelling novel.”- Victoria Pitts Caine“The story weaves its way through plot twists and turns that lead to an unexpected ending.”- Adventure Reader
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Christian Fiction Thriller writer, Kevin Mark Smith, is an evangelical criminal defense and family law attorney in Wichita, Kansas. He graduated cum laude from Regent University School of Law in 1999 where he served as Issue Planning Editor for the Regent Law Review and clerked with the American Center for Law and Justice. Kevin is a former Assistant District Attorney for Sedgwick County, Kansas, and an Allied attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom. He serves on the Kansas Board of Indigent Defense Services.
 Connect with Kevinkmsmith@acelaw.net Amazon Author Page Website Facebook




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Quitter's Quit

It was me against the world. All of it. I was standing alone. No comforting cushion of friends or family to urge me on and to face my fears.

I was by myself at a writer's conference. My second, in fact. The first was kind of like a dry run to get me comfortable with getting out of my comfort zone (HA!) and learning how these things progress. You know. A much-needed learning experience. A chance to grow.

I had come to do this very thing, and now, here I was, chickening out.
Well. Not exactly. I was positive the Lord was whispering in my ear that I didn't need to go to this one appointment.



See, I had just had one appointment with an agent that I thought went, well, less than desirable. Not that I'm complaining. It was a learning experience, and well, I was there to learn. This agent wasn't mean, hateful, ornery, or anything of the sort. They were very encouraging; just not interested in what I'd written. Which I knew was bound to happen, but still, it does rather shake one up when you receive the news to your face.

So of course, I was wary and more than a little petrified to visit my next appointment. The very last one on my list. This is the one I was *positive* God was leading me away from. My heart wasn't in it, my mind wasn't in it, my feelings weren't in it, in fact, I was ready to go home. Well, all 20 miles back to the hotel we were staying at, anyway!





My stomach churned; palms were sweaty. I clutched my binder with my one sheets and business cards to my chest.

It won't hurt anyone if I don't go, right? The words cascaded over and over again in my mind and I was almost convinced.  This isn't the appointment for me. I should just walk away and conveniently forget.

But that's not professional. That's not good business. That's just not right. And then, I heard a small voice in the back of my mind whisper...

You came here to do this. You came here to face your fears and get better, right? This is one of those things you can learn from. Facing someone you're not sure about. Talking to someone that scares you and takes you out of your comfort zone. 

That wee little voice was right.
I had a job to do and I was going to see it through. To the end, and if that meant being more than a little scared and breaking out of my timidity, then so be it.

With God's help, I was going to do this.

I wiped my palms on my pants, clutched my binder tighter, took a deep breath, and faced my fears. I sat down in front of this person whom I'd never met before ~ who I had the audacity to hope would like my book (or me) enough to request I send them a proposal ~ and...

out spewed some of the stupidest stuff I'd ever said.

I know, right? Talk about face palms of gargantuan enormity!
No kidding. I'm not lying. I wish I were, but that's the bare-faced truth of the matter.

In a matter of seconds, I had removed any and all doubt that I was an idiot. Then the strangest thing happened. This person who had instilled a healthy terror into me, leaned forward and asked one simple question. Just one.

"When did you know you wanted to be a writer?"
Well that was an easy one to answer. My response was probably less than desirable.
"Never. I've never lain awake and thought about becoming an author. I just always wrote. It's something I do because I love it."

That was it. I had blown it. I closed my binder, because even I know when to stop. Well, maybe not at the precise moment when I should, but close enough to save the tatters of what's left of my self esteem and slink out a door, at least. The next words out of their mouth?

"Send the proposal to this address. Don't worry about rushing to get this to me. Enjoy the rest of the conference."

With numb, shaking fingers, I reached for that card, sure it was about to be pulled away at the last moment because there was no way on God's green earth I had made any sense whatsoever.

 I stood, my knees buckled, and I offered my hand for a handshake. I thanked them for their time and their kindness in seeing me, walked outside,

and burst into tears because once again, God had seen me through when I was ready to quit.

What would have happened if I hadn't gone to see this person? I would have missed an opportunity to grow and learn and trust that God would be there every step of the way.

I would have been comfortable. But I wouldn't have been happy. I would have missed out, and it would have been my own fault. My own doing. And worse?

I would have blamed it on God because I was operating on my emotions; feelings.

Martin Luther said:“Feelings come and feelings go,And feelings are deceiving;My warrant is the Word of God--Naught else is worth believing.
Though all my heart should feel condemnedFor want of some sweet token,There is One greater than my heartWhose Word cannot be broken.
I'll trust in God's unchanging WordTill soul and body sever,For, though all things shall pass away,HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!”
Even if nothing comes of this proposal, this conference that I went to, I'm happy I went. God controls the situations we're in and nothing takes Him by surprise. And I'm happy with that. I'm content in knowing just WHO it is that holds my future in His hands.
I serve a pretty great God.

Psalm 25 AudioBible Series

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Love recipes? I have some FREE recipe cards for you!

If you were to look inside my kitchen cupboards, you would notice that
I'm a nut for recipes.

There isn't anything necessarily bad about that, it just takes up space and sometimes I don't use my books as often as I'd like. Because I become lazy and often revert to a much used recipe instead of seeking new and adventurous ideas to serve my family.

Don't judge. ;)

But this could be a beautiful thing for you.
Both of us, actually.

I took my favorite recipes and turned them into recipe cards so I could share them with anyone who would like to try them out.

Usually, when I go to book signings, I take these with me and pass them out, but with two cars broken down and lots of extras already on my plate, book signings just aren't happening in great amounts this year.
Meh, you take the good with the bad, right?

So here's my offer.

I want to share these recipe cards with you.
FREE

Winter Snow Fudge 

(this. is. AWESOME. Did you see the word 'fudge'?! Enough said.)

Pumpkin Muffins
(Isn't it illegal NOT to make something with pumpkin at this time of year?)

Banana Bread
See? Another MUST have for fall.

and introducing...

Grape Salad

for when you're tired of all the pumpkin, banana, and apple
recipes you're already using.
Or, when you're yearning for spring.
:)

Leave a comment in the box below telling me which cards you would like,
your email address so I can email you for your snail mail
(written out like this - amanda38401 at gmail dot com - to fight against spam)

and that's it.

These are gifts from me to you as a thank you for visiting and for being my loyal friends.

You Know You're Having a Bad Day When...

...your children are getting along and you hear one whisper to the other...
"Can't you tell she's having a bad day? Just look at her hair!"



I'm not sure, but I think stress is a problem that everyone has to deal with at some point in their lives. Some of us seem to have to deal with it more than others. Why, I don't know. Perhaps you can't say no to people. Or maybe, you're always looking to make others happy.

While putting others first is a great thing, in fact, we're supposed to do that, that doesn't mean there aren't those that abuse that particular character trait and use it for their own nefarious purposes.


There have been times in my life I was sure that I was headed to either an early grave or a complete breakdown. I'm really not old enough to be this way, but it's me. It's not right to worry, yet I do.

This week has been A WEEK. *insert rolling of eyes and rubbing of temples here*. I've just inherited a large project that must be done in, oh, three days. Humanly speaking, this project is impossible. There is no way this is going to get done. There is no way embarrassment won't mark me for at least a month after the due date. Plus, I believe I will go down in history after this particular project is finished.

Yep. You called it. I'm stressed.

But I'm working through it. When I get stressed, depressed, or overwhelmed, I tend to find something for my hands to get busy with. I work the frustration out. I keep busy until I can be calm and look at things a little differently than before. Being a stay at home, homeschooling mom, this means several things.

Our house gets cleaned very, very well. And our children learn all those wonderful details of how to scrub the floors, fold the towels, straighten their drawers, keep their school desks shipshape, and the list goes on. (Don't worry. During these moments, I too am very busy. Right now, I'm pretty sure our oven would rival any brand new one for cleanliness - inside and out. I didn't know it could sparkle so much after 17 years of heavy use.)Amazingly, our children don't bicker or fight while I'm stressed. They can always tell when things just aren't right. Our daughter will always comment, ever so politely, that my hair looks exciting. That's her way of saying, "Uh, mom. Are you doing all right?"I find something to laugh at. Sometimes, all it takes to relieve the pressure is elbow grease and laughter. But be careful on this step. If you're laughing hysterically while scrubbing your floors, oven, or windows, be prepared to be considered a lunatic. Don't ask me how I know.This is the most important step. I pray more. The Bible says we should pray without ceasing, but I venture to say that everyone falls off the bandwagon on this point. Sometimes, when God's trying to get our attention, He uses difficult, uncomfortable things to do it with. Our prayers are precious to Him. They're a sweet savor (smell). Like the honeysuckle on our vine in the front yard, He loves it when we pray and tell Him our needs. So what about you? What do you do to get past your stressful situations?