Book Review ~ Isaac Newton by Mitch Stokes

I recently received a complimentary copy of Isaac Newton from Thomas Nelson Publishers for review. This title is one in a new series of books called Christian Encounters.

Isaac Newton is well-known for his discoveries in the scientific arena. It is not as widely known that he actually devoted more study to theology than to the sciences. Mitch Stokes does an excellent job of painting a truer picture of Newton than the one that resides in the minds of most. He artfully peels away the layers of myth and legend that have come to surround the life of this remarkable man. And, he reveals the true heart and and goal of Isaac Newton, to know God better.

I was surprised at the detail with which Mr. Stokes explains many of Newton's theories, while still keeping the story readable. He also reveals nuances of the relationships that Newton had with his contemporaries and how they impacted his study and discovery throughout his life.

I learned much about a man who was willing to go to the furthest lengths to learn, not for fame or fortune (for he would much rather have kept to himself), but as a means of worshipping and bringing glory to the God that he served.

The Christian Encounters series is intended to bring to life individuals of significance throughout history who were also people of great faith. Biographies of Jane Austen, John Bunyan, Saint Patrick and Winston Churchill are already available. Five more titles including Johann Sebastian Bach, William F. Buckley, St. Francis, Anne Bradstreet and J.R.R. Tolkien are scheduled to release in August of this year.

Although not required to write a positive review of the book by the publisher, I am happy to. I hope to acquire more books in this series as well. There is much to learn from the lives of those who have traveled before us.

To view more information about this book, visit Thomas Nelson Publishers.

You can also preview this book on Amazon.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Rare Moments

The simplest things that can make my heart smile.

They are reading our favorite Bible story book for kids,

The Beginner's Bible.

A Few of My Favorite Things-Books That Give A New Perspective to Christmas

There are a couple of small books that I pull from my bookshelf every year at this time. Each one is a very fast read, but so packed full of meaning! I thought I would share them with you.


The first is Cosmic Christmas by Max Lucado. Written with Lucado's characteristic flair, it is the fictionalized rendition of the spiritual warfare that must have surrounded the first Christmas. This would be a fun book to read with boys, at your discretion of course. (Minor parental editing may be needed as you read to them based on the age and maturity level of your kiddos.) Angels are portrayed as the warriors and protectors that they are. I plan to read this with my 9 year old this year, with the explanation that it is fictional. This is the nativity story like you have never heard it before. Find it in THIS compilation at Amazon.


The second book is The Innkeeper by John Piper. Although this is also a fictionalized account of events surrounding the first Christmas, as with all that comes from Piper's pen, it is rich with meaning. I have great respect for this man of God. This one brings me to tears every single year. I think any mom would understand this upon reading it. Have you ever thought about the true ramifications of the slaughter of all baby boys under the age of 2 that Herod commanded? Joseph was warned and Jesus was spared...many were not. This book is not a Christmas downer, on the contrary, it brings a depth to Christmas that is often forgotten. Find it HERE at Amazon.

Apple Syrup and Cinnamon-Pecan Pancake Mix

One of my favorite things about Fall is the wonderful local apples that are available here in Maryland. My new favorite is the Cortland. It is tart, crisp and wonderful for cooking. I spent several days recently cooking up batches to put in the freezer. I don't make applesauce, but keep the chunks intact for a wonderful winter side-dish.

It was really bothering me to throw away all of those peelings. So I did a little research and discovered that you can cook them down to make syrup. I experimented until I got the recipe just right.

Apple Peel Syrup

6 Cups Water
6 1/2 Cups Sugar
Peelings from @ 18 apples
Cinnamon to taste

Bring all four ingredients to a boil in a large stockpot. Stir until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until peels lose their bright color. (Approximately 10 minutes.) Remove apple peels with tongs or a slotted spoon. Continue simmering until mixture has reduced by half. Test consistency by dipping a spoon into the mixture and then rubbing your finger across it. You will be able to tell when it has thickened. Cooking time will vary. You may can this in sterile jars or let it cool and keep in the refrigerator. Yeild 5-6 half-pints.

Please note that I am by no means an expert canner. For directions on canning please do your research. I reccommend the Ball Blue Book of Canning and Preserving.

This syrup is especially tasty when paired with Cinnamon-Pecan Pancake Mix.

Cinnamon-Pecan Pancake Mix

3 Cups of your favorite pancake mix
2 1/4 Cups Water
2 T Cinnamon
1/2 Cup finely chopped Pecans

This makes 18-22 pancakes. If you want to package the mix for a gift, combine the dry ingredients and add to a Quart jar (fits nicely). Make sure to add a tag that explains the number of servings and how much water to add.

Hostess Gifts 101

A Southern Girl would never, ever go to a someone's home empty-handed! Hostess gifts are a small way to show appreciation to a family who has opened their home and their lives to you. An invitation into someone's home is a great gift, one that is shared too infrequently in this age of hustle, bustle busyness.

As mentioned in an earlier post, I keep a gift closet from which to draw hostess gifts on-demand. I save money this way because I stock my gift closet with bargains. Some of these come from stores like TJ MAXX and HOMEGOODS. Others are deep discounts that I find througout the year. The day after Christmas is one of my favorite days to stock up. I often skip Black Friday, but never miss the sales on December 26th. For example, I always visit Bath and Body Works on that day. Many items go for $2 to $5 and gift sets are usually 75% off. I often get coupons from this chain for "$10 off of a $30 purchase". For about $20 I can usually pick up 6 to 8 hostess or "just because" gifts.

An assortment of gift bags (many recycled from gifts we've received) and different colors of tissue are also on hand. I do not like to pay retail price for wrappings. The prices are INSANE!

I know it might seem like all I do is shop. Not really, I just keep my bargain radar up when I'm out and about. It is amazing what I can find if I just pay attention! For example, yesterday I went to the mall to exchange some jeans for one of the kiddos. Lo and behold, Yankee Candle had their Fall scented candles (my favorites) on sale, buy 2 jars and get 1 free. Because I had my handy-dandy coupon binder in the car (to be explained in a later post), I had the "$10 off of a $25 purchase" coupon that came in the mail earlier this week. I purchased 3 candles that retail for $14.99. I paid $21.18, a savings of $25. They are snug in my gift closet until I need them.

To be completely honest, stocking up on bargains allows me to give nicer gifts.

Hostess Gift Ideas:
-Candles and/or Candleholders
-Picture Frames
-Quality Liquid Hand Soaps for Bath or Kitchen
-Cookbooks
-Nice Kitchen Linens
-Food Gifts From Your Kitchen
-Plants (if you need last-minute gift)
-Gourmet Oil, Honey or Preserves
-Specialty Coffees or Teas
-Fun Board Games

Don't forget your hosts during the holidays or any other time of year!

My Heart's at Home

I love to read. My bookshelves are crammed with an odd mix of history, parenting, frugality, inspirational, biblical study, hospitality, and fiction writings. Books are so much better than movies to me. I am always disappointed by a movie if I have already read the book. I love to get lost in a story. I want to share one of my more recent reads. This book has done more to affect my parenting strategy than all of the other books I have read on the subject combined. I intend to present it with all baby gifts in the future. It is that good.

Jill Savage's goal is to show moms that motherhood is a profession. "You can do amazing things within four walls when your heart's at home." She has a ministry website located here.

As a mom it can be easy to lose yourself in the mundane and forget to cherish the moments. What a job we have, to prepare these impressionable little hearts and minds for life on their own. What we do will affect their lives as well as their children and the children's children. We are the ones who guide the trajectory for their future. What a heritage God has given us! I know I'm not going to get it all right, but I want to be intentional in my role as a parent. I never want to fall into the trap of just going through the motions.

If you are interested in purchasing Jill's book, which I highly recommend, it is available at Amazon for a very reasonable price.