Monday, October 26, 2015

Book Review: "THE HAMMER OF THE HUGUENOTS" by Douglas Bond


Douglas Bond is one of my favorite authors, and has been since, shortly after discovering my Scottish roots, we discovered and read his Crown & Covenant Trilogyfollowed by his Faith & Freedom Trilogy.

In preparing for our upcoming 7th Annual 'Night Of Reformation' get-together, I just finished reading Mr. Bond's latest book, The Hammer of the Huguenots, and, I must say, Douglas Bond never ceases to amaze me with his wisdom and insight into Reformation history and the abillity to make it come alive for me...urging me to dig futher into my own family history and imagining what it must have been like for those that came before me. Even though I have Huguenot history in my own family (my fifth great-aunt, Catherine Sherrill was married to General John Sevier, who was of French Huguenot descent), it is an area of family history that I had never thought to investigate before. The Hammer of the Huguenots was so good! Through it's pages I was spiritually humbled and, in the flesh, I am now challenged to dig deeper into the roots of my own extended Huguenot roots.

In The Hammer of the Huguenots Douglas Bond tells the story of Phillippe, a quiet, hard-working, sixteenth-century shipwright apprentice, who, as full-scale war is breaking out in France as intense religious conflict, finds himself entangled in the trouble whether he likes it or not. His closest friends have defyed the state church by embracing the gospel proclaimed by church Reformers and Phillipe must make a choice. 

As with all of the previous books that I've read of Douglas Bond's, Mr. Bond has skillfully woven fact and fiction together drawing me into the pages of the book...into the setting and time period. So much so, in fact, that during the final chapter of The Hammer of the Huguenots, as Phillipe comes to a realization of the choice he has made, I found myself in tears. I could actually feel his heart.

Bravo, Mr. Bond! I never get tired of reading your books and I am anxiously looking forward to whatever is next! 

Blessing To All,
~Rebecca

Homemade Natural Air Freshener

Ingredients For Making Your Own Natural Air Freshener

I love Fabreeze and have used several bottles of it over the years, but I do worry about the harmful effects of chemicals in products like this one, especially when using it on furniture and/or carpet where our skin touches it.

After reading an article about the dangers of Fabreeze this morning, I decided to try my hand at making my own natural air freshener and am quite pleased with the results. I decided to share the recipe here.

To make your own air freshener you will need:
  • 1 tbsp of baking soda
  • 2 cups of water
  • 10 drops of essential oil (I used lavender)
Mix the baking soda and essential oil in a bowl with a fork to keep the oil suspended in the water. Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle and top off with the water. Shake before every use.

Blessing,
~Rebecca

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

NEW! Frost Flowers Unit Study

Frost Flowers
Warm days, chilly nights, falling leaves, pumpkins, and bonfires! There's no doubt about it! Autumn is here! But before long tempertures will drop, the days will grow short, and wintery weather will be upon us. Sometime between now and then (usually around Thanksgiving) the most wonderful natural phenomenea will occur! FROST FLOWERS!


While frost flower usually occur only for a short time, here in southwest Missouri, last year weather conditions were such that the frost flowers were on from early November until well after the first of the year, and I had an absolute ball observing and studying them. As a result, I wrote a unit study on frost flowers and am thrilled to be able to share it with you this year before the time that frost flowers occur comes.


The unit study tells what frost flowers are (and aren't!), explains how they are formed, when and where they can be found, and offers ideas on how to further you and your family's study into areas beyond natural science. The study comes in a printable, full color, PDF format and the cost is only $5.00.


If you and your family would be interested in purchasing a copy of my 'Frost Flowers' unity study just send an e-mail to me at proverbs31heart@yahoo.com. Thanks so much!

~Rebecca

Monday, October 5, 2015

Recipe: Taco Soup

Autumn is here and this cool, cloudy day has me thinking about warm soups, stews, and casseroles! One of our favorite soups of all time is Taco Soup and I've got a pot of it cooking on the stove right now!
Taco Soup

TACO SOUP

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef (I use ground turkey.)
1 envelope taco seasoning (I make my own. I'll share the recipe below.)
2 cans whole kernel corn, undrained
2 cans chili beans
2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained

Cook ground meat, add seasonings, corn, tomatoes, and beans. Simmer. Serve with tortilla chips and shredded cheese. Delicious! <3

HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING MIX

2 teaspoons instant minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper
1/2 teaspoon instant minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until evenly distributed. Spoon mixture onto a 6-inch square of aluminum foil and fold to make airtight. Label. Store in a cool, dry place. Use within 6 months. Makes 1 package (about 2 tablespoons) TACO SEASONING MIX. To make additional packages increase ingredient amounts proportionately.