by Jason Joyner | Nov 25, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
For this week’s blog tour, enter “Christian chick lit” in Google and one of the first names you’ll come up with is Kristin Billerbeck. She’s been highlighted on NBC’s Today show discussing the fad of “Bridget Jones going to church”.
Not that I’m afraid to tackle chick lit, but I was in the midst of a lot of reading already. I’ve pulled in a guest reviewer this week: my lovely wife! So, in her words:
“Calm, Cool, and Adjusted is the third book in the Spa Girls series. I didn’t have the benefit of reading the first two, but I didn’t notice anything I missed out on by not reading them. It is focused on Poppy Clayton, a Christian chiropracter and health nut. Her office is next to a plastic surgeon, which cuts against everything she stands for. Her social life is going to change because the last of the Spa Girls is getting married. Is she going to be single and nutty, or will she accept that the perfect mate may not have the best alignment?
It was a quick read, light and fun. I laughed out loud at several points (Verified by her husband – J). The book was refreshing from the typical CBA romance novels I usually read. It had a good storyline. I enjoyed it a lot, but some of the characterization of the main character seemed a little overdone to further the plot. “
I read the first chapter, and found the writing engaging as well. I don’t think I’d have a problem sitting down and digging in to this when I had the chance. If chick lit is your thing, check out CCA.
by Jason Joyner | Nov 25, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
For this week’s blog tour, enter “Christian chick lit” in Google and one of the first names you’ll come up with is Kristin Billerbeck. She’s been highlighted on NBC’s Today show discussing the fad of “Bridget Jones going to church”.
Not that I’m afraid to tackle chick lit, but I was in the midst of a lot of reading already. I’ve pulled in a guest reviewer this week: my lovely wife! So, in her words:
“Calm, Cool, and Adjusted is the third book in the Spa Girls series. I didn’t have the benefit of reading the first two, but I didn’t notice anything I missed out on by not reading them. It is focused on Poppy Clayton, a Christian chiropracter and health nut. Her office is next to a plastic surgeon, which cuts against everything she stands for. Her social life is going to change because the last of the Spa Girls is getting married. Is she going to be single and nutty, or will she accept that the perfect mate may not have the best alignment?
It was a quick read, light and fun. I laughed out loud at several points (Verified by her husband – J). The book was refreshing from the typical CBA romance novels I usually read. It had a good storyline. I enjoyed it a lot, but some of the characterization of the main character seemed a little overdone to further the plot. “
I read the first chapter, and found the writing engaging as well. I don’t think I’d have a problem sitting down and digging in to this when I had the chance. If chick lit is your thing, check out CCA.
by Jason Joyner | Nov 24, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
As newlyweds, a couple is always nervous about cooking their first Thanksgiving dinner. Eight years ago my wife and I thought we were in the clear, going to her mother’s house for dinner. However, we received a bit of a surprise.
Beccy is a teacher, and had been hired to be the fill-in teacher for a local 5th grade, as the regular teacher had a medical leave for the year. Bec was playing catch-up with the traditions and way things were done. In mid-November she found out that the 5th grade teachers always did a Thanksgiving spread for the kids, and she was responsible for a turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
Since people thought we might starve when we married (a reference to our perceived culinary prowess), this was a daunting task. Also, Beccy was swamped with other responsibilities since it was her first year.
So we read up on how to cook a turkey from Butterball.com and tried to get things going. She got the turkey in the oven, but it was in the afternoon. We had decided it would be too hard to try and do it in the morning of the feast, as we’d have to get up so early. The turkey was going to be a while – coming out of the oven around 11 pm or later.
Beccy had other things to do in the morning, so I sent her off to bed, while I stayed up for the turkey and gravy detail. I had carved the turkey for my mom before, but I had never done gravy. So I pour the juices into the pan and I’m stirring it. Boy, it just doesn’t seem like it wants to thicken at all. Better add some flour, right? I dump some in, not mindful of doing things a little at a time.
The gravy seizes up like cement.
Ack! What was I to do? It’s almost midnight, so I can’t call anyone. I thought it was going to be the worst gravy ever. I added some water and got it to the point where you didn’t need a knife to serve it, and put it away for the night.
I finish carving up the turkey after midnight, watching Star Trek: TNG on syndication (amazing the details you remember when you’re tired and frazzled). I didn’t realize Thanksgiving was so much work – and all we were doing was turkey, potatoes, and gravy.
Turns out the teachers raved about our gravy and potatoes, so that turned out alright. The kids weren’t too interested in turkey, so we had some leftovers. And we gained new appreciation for what our mothers went through on Thanksgiving!
by Jason Joyner | Nov 24, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
As newlyweds, a couple is always nervous about cooking their first Thanksgiving dinner. Eight years ago my wife and I thought we were in the clear, going to her mother’s house for dinner. However, we received a bit of a surprise.
Beccy is a teacher, and had been hired to be the fill-in teacher for a local 5th grade, as the regular teacher had a medical leave for the year. Bec was playing catch-up with the traditions and way things were done. In mid-November she found out that the 5th grade teachers always did a Thanksgiving spread for the kids, and she was responsible for a turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
Since people thought we might starve when we married (a reference to our perceived culinary prowess), this was a daunting task. Also, Beccy was swamped with other responsibilities since it was her first year.
So we read up on how to cook a turkey from Butterball.com and tried to get things going. She got the turkey in the oven, but it was in the afternoon. We had decided it would be too hard to try and do it in the morning of the feast, as we’d have to get up so early. The turkey was going to be a while – coming out of the oven around 11 pm or later.
Beccy had other things to do in the morning, so I sent her off to bed, while I stayed up for the turkey and gravy detail. I had carved the turkey for my mom before, but I had never done gravy. So I pour the juices into the pan and I’m stirring it. Boy, it just doesn’t seem like it wants to thicken at all. Better add some flour, right? I dump some in, not mindful of doing things a little at a time.
The gravy seizes up like cement.
Ack! What was I to do? It’s almost midnight, so I can’t call anyone. I thought it was going to be the worst gravy ever. I added some water and got it to the point where you didn’t need a knife to serve it, and put it away for the night.
I finish carving up the turkey after midnight, watching Star Trek: TNG on syndication (amazing the details you remember when you’re tired and frazzled). I didn’t realize Thanksgiving was so much work – and all we were doing was turkey, potatoes, and gravy.
Turns out the teachers raved about our gravy and potatoes, so that turned out alright. The kids weren’t too interested in turkey, so we had some leftovers. And we gained new appreciation for what our mothers went through on Thanksgiving!
by Jason Joyner | Nov 21, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
Here’s a little link that is simple, yet a fun time-waster: Line Rider. Draw a quick line, and watch the sledder take your slope for a ride. Of course, you can get some Funniest Videos like rides as well! This kept my boys and I amused for a good part of the afternoon. The boys think the sledder is a penguin; who am I to judge?
by Jason Joyner | Nov 21, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
Here’s a little link that is simple, yet a fun time-waster: Line Rider. Draw a quick line, and watch the sledder take your slope for a ride. Of course, you can get some Funniest Videos like rides as well! This kept my boys and I amused for a good part of the afternoon. The boys think the sledder is a penguin; who am I to judge?
