Taste

I have eaten at this unique little bistro a number of times. I love it each time! Whether I am sitting in the sun in their outdoor seating in the summer or staying snug indoors in the winter this is always a win. Their menu has unique flavors and combinations that make you drool just reading through it. Their salads are huge and full of fresh items. My favorite thing on the menu would have to be the sweet potato fries with a side of basil aioli...simply to die for. I've yet to try anything I haven't liked and I'm particularly fond of the Chipotle Chicken Wrap. Fresh delicious flavors. When they say "it's all good", they mean it! Don't let the odd location in a strip mall deter you, you don't want to miss this!


Go to their website: http://www.tastedining.com/default.aspx.

Cause and Effect (Adventures in Odyssey)

"And now it's time for another adventure in Odyssey!" With those words you are instantly transported to the town of Odyssey and engrossed in all of the adventures that come with it. Volume 52 and Focus on the Family is still going strong. Always captivating, this volume of Adventures in Odyssey does not disappoint. The first 2 episodes involve a mystery taking place in Odyssey's clock tower. I'll admit, I was hooked from the moment black roses mysteriously showed up near the clock! Sticking with the theme of "cause and effect" each episode teaches kids (and adults) that there are always consequences (good or bad) for our actions. Episode 5 revolves around fasting and the gang at Whit's End each fasts in their own way. It offers a great challenge for listeners to set something aside to allow space for God in our lives. While I enjoyed some episodes more than others each one had it's own jewel of truth to walk away with and each one was entertaining. 

Adventures in Odyssey is well done, relevant, and worth every penny. Kids of all ages will enjoy this volume. So sit back and relax on your next road trip, pop in a CD, and get ready for another Adventure in Odyssey!

Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this album in exchange for my review.

Where Hearts Are Free

Where Hearts Are Free 
Golden Keyes Parsons

It's 1681 in the New World and 18 year old Bridget Barrington is desperately in love with Philipe Clavell. True love should conquer all but Philipe is a a Hugenot and Bridget is a Catholic. Philipe is an indentured servant and Bridget is the daughter of his master. When Bridget's parents learn of her love for Philipe they quickly release him from his contract and shuffle him home to his welcoming family. Bridget suddenly finds herself brokenhearted and engaged to be married to Edward Moorehead, a man whom she neither likes nor trusts.

The story unfolds and the twists and turns will keep you up reading at night. Bridget witnessed something nefarious at an early age and unbeknownst to her Edward is hiding many deep dark secrets. Philipe learns of Edward's dealings and does his best to make his way back to his love's side. But will he be too late to save Bridget from disaster?

I enjoyed this book. It is the last book in the Darkness to Light trilogy. The Clavell family will grip your hearts and make you want to keep reading as the trilogy sweeps you along from France to the New World. While you can read this book alone I would recommend reading book 1 and 2 first. The main characters are strong but I found some of the supporting characters lacking in development. Overall I would recommend Where Hearts Are Free.

Camelbak

On any given day you will find me toting my camelbak water bottle all over. It goes to and from work with me, travels with me, sits by my bed at night, and generally is always nearby. I bought my camelbak when I was in the States for Christmas. I wanted an alternative to the metal water bottles (brr) and the nalgene bottles with the wide open tops (I always spilled!). My little guy has a sippy straw and I love it. It does take a bit of practice to figure out the technique for drinking but once you've got it you'll love it. It rarely leaks and washes up in the dishwasher with no problems.Mine traveled Europe with me and still looks great. I've got the 16oz one which is just the right size. Highly recommend!

Pantene Pro-V Spray Gel

Curly hair can be a curse and can also be a blessing. If you have curly hair you know exactly what I'm talking about. Those of us "blessed" with the spring, sprang, and sprung are constantly battling with our hair. We change products like we do our clothes. One day our shampoo does the trick and the next it's not working at all. For a whole week I'll use mousse and then I swear I'll never use it again. Creams, sprays, gels, etc...I've tried them all and I rotate through them regularly. I do, however, seem to repeatedly come back to this little number. 

It works great! I spray it on my wet hair, comb through, and then I'm good to go. It gives definition without crunch and it covers my hair (of which I am abudantly blessed) without me having to have gooey fingers. 

Casa Guadagno- Positano, Italia

My two friends and I stayed here the first part of April 2008. While it is challenging to reach Positano when you're on a budget trip all of our weariness faded away when we reached this charming pensione. We reserved our room through e-mail with the owners directly. They asked for an approximate time of arrival and we were about 6 hours later than anticipated. The owner met us at the door when we arrived as if we were his long lost relatives.

Our room was wonderfully clean and spacious. We awoke to the sun shining through our french doors. The balcony offered a view to die for. The whole city was visible as was the sparkling sea. The whole place is a maze of small stairways and charming balconies. It is clean and gorgeous!

Our hosts were extremely hospitable. They even fixed breakfast for us on the day we had to leave early. They provided a map and some suggestions of where to eat. Our room was cleaned each day and the sheets and towels were pristine. They even quickly got ice for me after I fell down the lovely marble stairs!

Internet was available downstairs and although they said they charged a small fee, we were never charged. We paid 90E for a triple room. I would definitely stay here again. The whole town is beautiful and well worth the challenge of getting there. 

Casa Guadagno's website

The Apothecary's Daughter

The Apothecary’s Daughter by Julie Klassen
Reviewed by Melissa J. MacDonald
Genre: Fiction, Historical, Medical
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date:

Lilly Haswell is the brilliant daughter of Bedsley Priors’ local apothecary. Abandoned by her mother when she was but 15 Lilly works hard to care for her father and her simple-minded younger brother. While she toils away in her father’s shop her heart yearns for adventure and for answers to her mother’s mysterious disappearance. An opportunity for change comes in the form of a distant Uncle and Aunt extending an invitation to host her in London. While in London she is exposed to fashionable society and keeps her father’s less than prominent profession under wraps.

As eligible suitors begin calling and clues to her mother’s disappearance come to light Lilly is urgently summoned back to Bedsley Priors. Lilly returns to her small village to find her father ailing, Haswell’s apothecary being challenged by the new competition, and the business affairs in disarray. A planned fortnight visit turns into something much longer as Lilly takes over management of the apothecary. Women are forbidden to work as apothecaries so Lilly does what she must make it appear as if she is working under the direction of her very ill father. The local suspicious doctor seems to have a personal vendetta against Haswell’s and the plot thickens as disaster looms on the horizon. As the story heats up so does the competition to win Lilly’s extraordinary heart as three handsome men vie for her attention.

She’s just a simple apothecary’s daughter who enjoys an occasional unladylike run up a hill, coffee with her dear friend Mary, and gardening with her brother. Who will win her heart and could her mother still be alive?


This book is quietly captivating. You will find yourself keeping the candle burning to find out
what happens next. Lilly is a delightful character with a wonderful mixture of loyalty, stubbornness, dreams, and heartaches. She holds her cards close to her chest (annoyingly too close sometimes!) and you will be kept guessing until the end.

Klassen weaves a compelling story that will open your eyes to the little known world of the apothecary in the early 1800’s. The book is chocked full of historical information and you will feel as if you have temporarily relocated to England. Grab a mug of coffee and a warm blanket and be prepared to take a mini vacation to a time long long ago.
Rated PG for brief references to infidelity