Summer Reading Challenges

I absolutely love love love to read, but it's something I have a very difficult time getting done. You might think it's because I've got sooooo much responsibility---but no, that's not it at all. We're a family of hobbyists so most of us are always off doing whatever thing it is that feeds our creative souls. No, it's because I find so many things to distract me. Blogging, reading blogs, planning blogs, taking photos for blogs, applying for jobs for blogs...see a pattern here?

Over the next two months, I'm participating in two reading challenges and am really hoping to focus on knocking out a few books before the first day of fall. I'll keep a running list of what I've read here---it's fun to have a record of books I've enjoyed. Here's the info on the challenges I've joined---in case you're wanting to join too!

Simply Audra Marie is hosting the Summer's Flying By reading challenge from August 1st to September 21st. You can read whatever you want, and there's even a drawing at the end for an Amazon gift card. You'll need to write up a quick intro post, as well as an "all done" post at the end, to be eligible for the drawing.

Lost Generation Reader is hosting Austen in August---a whole month dedicated to reading Jane Austen-themed books. Novels, biographies, and modern-day fan fiction all count---even rereads count! They've even got their own hashtag: #AustenInAugustLGR.

What's on your reading list this summer?

Linking with:

Homemaking Party @ Hope In Every Season

Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner

Thriving Thursday @ Serving Joyfully

Homeacre Hop   

Think Tank Thursday @ Saving4Six 

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home 

Create It Thursday

Open House @ Bernideen's Tea Time Blog 

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Cozy Book Hop @ Reading List

Booknificent Thursday

Inspiration Friday @ Dear Creatives

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Pintastic Party

A Stillness of Chimes -- book review

I'll be honest: I'm kind of a snob when it comes to Christian fiction. To me, it seems that so much of it is either very much contrived and preachy or very much not-really-Christian with a few references to Jesus thrown in to make it (sort of) work. That's why I was so so SO pleasantly surprised by Meg Moseley's A Stillness of Chimes. It's like a real story. Written by a real author. With real talent. It's really good!

Laura Gantt has just lost her mother, so she's hanging out in her hometown of Prospect, Georgia for awhile to settle her household. Twelve years ago, she lost her father to a suspected lake drowning, but now rumors are circling that he's been seen around the area. Former fiance and lifelong friend, Sean, has his doubts, but he's willing to help Laura find out. Together, they discover the truth---with some very surprising secrets being unearthed along the way.

I love a good mystery and this one didn't disappoint---too much. I usually do have the mystery figured out early on, but it's always fun to see how it all plays out. Though I had this one about half way through, I definitely enjoyed this story of grace, forgiveness, and ultimate sacrifice. The scenes where Laura misses and remembers her mother lead me to believe that this author has dealt with that kind of loss on a personal level. The part where she takes the last blackberries out of the freezer and makes a cobbler---with the last berries ever picked by her mother---oh. my. goodness. Girls, that was too much. Really made me miss my mama so far away in Oregon. For more info, check out the author bio and read chapter one.

I've been on the lookout for good Southern fiction---this one is a definite must-read. Do you have any other good suggestions for me? Lets make a list in the comments---and don't forget to link up with the Homemaking Party! 

I received this book from Blogging for Books to review on my blog. All opinions are honest and are my own.

Easy Fruity Party Petit Fours

What's more dainty at a tea party than a sweetly decorated petit four? My recipe is super easy and so delicious. Don't they look good? Make them for your friends and they'll make you look good too!

Notice I don't dip them and level them perfectly. I think it adds to the uniqueness and homemade look. Ok, honestly, they look like this because I ran out of oil to add to the melted candy coating. It's important. Don't forget. So why am I not taking the time to redo them so they'll be absolutely perfect for my photos? Because I am human and you are too and I want you to feel comfortable making these---even if they don't look like they belong on a magazine cover. I'm giving myself permission to be imperfect. That's important too. Don't forget.

My husband made the little flowers with gum paste, luster dust, and little pearly candies. He's always making cute flowers for me out of gum paste. I came home from my last blogging conference and told him I'm recruiting him onto my creative team. He felt sort of honored until he found out my creative team now consisted of two members.

These tasty treats are a spin on my Fruity Brownie recipe. They're rich, tangy, and fairly dense, so you'll be fine cutting them small. One batch makes approximately 75 squares. For a taller petit four, fill with frosting, chocolate, jam, or whatever you please!

Fruity Petit Fours

16 oz. boxed pound cake mix

1/2 c. butter or margarine

2 eggs

2/3 c. water

(2) .15 oz. envelopes flavored drink mix

colored candy coating

oil

Heat oven to 350º. Grease a 15x9 jelly roll pan (or line with parchment paper). Mix all ingredients on low for 30 seconds and then on high for 2 minutes. Bake for about 20 minutes or until done through. Cool completely, then cut into squares. Melt candy coating completely and then add in oil, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it's reached your desired dipping consistency. Dip cakes and let cool on a cooling rack until set. If you want to top them with sprinkles or something similar, make sure you do that right away after dipping, as the coating will set fast.

I'd love to know if you give these a try!

Welcome to the Make Bake Create Party! 5 blogs-1 party-lots of fun!