Taste of Home Cookbooks

We have all been there. We open up our cabinets after spending all day at work and we see nothing to eat. Yes, there are usually plenty of ingredients, but what to make? The last time I want to do is spending hours cooking and prepping something, especially after work.

That’s why I love the Taste of Home cookbooks. My two favorites are Taste of Home: The BusyFamily Cookbook and Taste of Home: Simple and Delicious. 

 The recipes are simple, quick, and incorporate items that most kitchens already have (none of those fancy shmancy ingredients you’ve never heard of and cost an arm and a leg), and Taste of Home provides beautiful pictures. I love cookbooks with photos that way I know what it is suppose to look like. If you are looking for some simple and great cookbooks with recipes that your whole family will enjoy then Taste of Home books are definitely what you are looking for. 

Be sure to check out some of the other great Taste of Home cookbooks that are in the system! Click here for more choices. 

Here is a recipe for Bacon-Wrapped Chicken that is a favorite of my family!It is beyond yummy! Enjoy :)

First Day of School Books for Kids

As the last days of Summer dwindle down, parents are gearing up to send their kids back to school. For some children, this might be their first year of school or maybe their first year in a new school. If they are nervous or scared, try reading some of these books to them to help calm their nerves.


I am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child
Lola is not so sure about school. After all, why would she need to count up higher than ten when she never eats more than ten cookies? Ten is enough! She certainly does not need to learn her letters to write a note to a friend. Calling on the telephone is more friendly and straightaway. It is up to Lola’s big brother Charlie, to persuade her that school is worthwhile. But what about Soren Lorensen? Lola’s invisible friend does not want to go to school either! Charlie certainly has his work cut out for him!
No matter how convinced your child is that they don’t need school, I am Too Absolutely Small for School will teach them how important learning their numbers, letters, and making new friends is.

To place a hold on I am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child, click here.



Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
Time to get up, get dresses and get going because it’s Llama Llama’s first day of school! Meet the teachers, find new friends, but wait….why is Mama Llama leaving?
Llama Llama Misses Mama is perfect for either a kindergartener or a preschooler, who does not quite understand that parents cannot stay at school. So if you are worried that your little one will be clinging to your leg on that first day, read them Llama Llama Misses Mama.

To place a hold on Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney, click here.



Take a Kiss to School by Angela McAllister
There is so much to remember on Digby’s second day at school. Will he know where to hang his jacket and when to listen for his name? Digby’s mother has some special help for her son, who doesn’t feel quite brave enough for school. This reassuring story with winsome illustrations is just right for kids starting school – and those who need a little encouragement once they’re begun!

To place a hold on Take a Kiss to School by Angela McAllister, click here.


First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
Starting a new school can be scary – for anyone! Everyone knows the jumble of feelings that go through a child’s head as the first day of school approaches – especially if it’s the first day at a new school. Will they like me? Will I make new friends? What if I don’t like it? These are the questions Sarah Jane Hartwell asks herself as she tries to build up enough courage to embrace her new school. First Day Jitters, with its surprise ending, will teach children that everyone gets nervous on the first day of school!

To place a hold on First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg, click here.

We hope everyone has had a great and safe summer! See you in the library!

~ Miss Judith ~

Sweetwater Run by Jan Watson

The people who lived in Eastern Kentucky in 1893 had a hard life and family and friends were everything to them. When Dimmert Whitt was convicted of stealing his own mule his wife was devastated. How could she exist without him for two years while he was in the prison? Cara had family that included Fairy Mae, Darcy, Ace and Dance and the little ones. While Dim was serving his sentence many unexpected things happened to him and to the folks who loved him most. Darcy's gift of sewing helped support them but she wanted her own family. Her dreams of meeting a man to love was uppermost in her mind and when she met Henry Thomas her course was set. What she did not know was that Henry had his sights on the Whitt family land. That little fact set the rest of the story in motion. The actions of Darcy and Henry made a huge difference in the lives of Cara, Dance, Ace, Darcy and Fairy Mae as well as all the children and Ace's parents. How could people who seemingly had so little be so caring and generous? Even Henry was about to find out.

Susannah's Garden by Debbie Macomber

Just as Susannah was completing another year of teaching she had a disturbing phone call about her mother. Since her father had died Susannah's mother had been extremely lonely, her memory had gotten worse and now she was accusing her long time housekeeper of stealing. The only thing to do was visit Vivian in her home and observe her behavior. Then decide what to do. Coleville had not changed much since her childhood so visiting was a nice change. Susannah reconnected with Carolyn, her best friend for years and enjoyed getting reacquainted. Though Vivian did not want to leave her home she agreed to move into a facility after her late husband paid her a visit. Several times he visited Susannah's mother which pleased her but worried her daughter. Susannah's daughter, Chrissie, decided to help packing in Coleville since packing up years of memories and household items was a huge task. And she felt unwanted and bored at home. Chrissie met Troy and became thrilled by his attentions. His reputation worried Susannah and Carolyn but Chrissie thought her mother would say anything against him to ruin her enjoyable relationship. As Susannah continued to pack her father's papers she learned of more disturbing decisions and actions that turned her life around. Trying to tie up loose ends just raised more questions and the answers were unsettling. If only she could just go home to her husband. But somehow she would learn the truth and keep her family together.

The Longing The Courtship of Nellie Fisher book 3 by Beverly Lewis

Nellie Fisher and Caleb Yoder have ended their budding relationship. This is one result of the split in the Old Order Amish Church. Caleb is determined to stay with the traditional rules and lifestyle of his youth-life in the Old Order Amish Community. Nellie and her family have found new life in the New Order church. The church split has even divided families and couples like the breakup of Nellie and Caleb. David Yoder has always been known as being proud and stubborn. In the middle of all the confusion among the People, David had a stroke which left him paralyzed and in need of help. It is very hard for him to ask for any kind of help. When friends and family from the Old and New Order Church offered their help, love, prayers and he was resistant to all but a few. Caleb, his son, does accept help with the milking when his cousin Chris offers his services. What will happen when David learns that a Mennonite is helping in his barn? Nellie's sister, Rhoda, is still in her time of running around before joining the church. And she decides to move into town, rent an apartment with conveniences like electricity and modern appliances. She has even bought a car and is driving to and from her job as waitress. Her 'fancy' boyfriend cooks for her in his apartment and wants her to stay late. This has put a strain on Rhoda's relationship with her brother, her landlord for now. What should Nellie do in her relationships with Caleb who she still loves, her sister who needs guidance and Chris who is interested in her?

Of all the stories by Lewis which I have read about the Amish I found this to be more open about the Plain lifestyle and its problems. Each book opens up more questions about a way of life which is so different from ours. People I have met from the Plain community are as different from each other as we are and they are each special.

The Gift by Richard Paul Evans

Nathan Hurst works security for a music store chain as a house detective only not the kind that walks around watching for shoplifters. He watches the transactions in over 300 stores and catches employees stealing from the company. In so doing he travels to other cities to complete investigations and have employees arrested. Some people are surprised when arrested. Some are shocked that they would be caught. So Nathan has saved the company lots of money and even has had some merchandise returned by the thieves. It was in the airport when returning from one of his business trips that he met Addison, Collin and Elizabeth. The weather was awful with ice, snow, wind and bone chilling temperatures shutting down air travel. The prospect was time spent sleeping on the floor in the airport until flights would resume. When Nathan met Addison and saw her son, a chemo patient with surgical mask and very pale skin, he was moved to share his hotel suite with these desperate people. This was the beginning of an amazing relationship. Collin was not even ten but was wise for someone so small. Through his years of sickness and treatments for leukemia he had acquired an understanding of listening to other people and caring about them. He also was given the gift of healing. As he put it he could make life better for people. Sadly he was unable to heal himself and each time he touched someone transferring his healing energy to them he was sicker for days. Nathan continued his job of catching bad employees and travelling around the country. When the story of Collins' gift was in the newspaper, people flocked to his home, trying for a touch of his hand. Addison called Nathan and the police. Until someone broke the law the police could only keep the crowds off Addison's property. So Nathan helped them go elsewhere until the madness subsided. But it only got worse. Addison's ex husband tried to sell Collins' gift. He had approached several wealthy people who were in need of healing. Though he had been told what each episode did to Collin, he wanted the money and chose to ignore the warning. Early in the book Nathan says this is not a Christmas story. But it tells so much about the spirit of giving on several levels that I think it is a story about love and caring. And who doesn't need a good dose of both?

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Tallulah Hart was left with her grandmother by her mother when she was four years old. The next time her mother came by was six years later. Then she took Tallulah and left her in a crowd of strangers. When the grandmother died Tully had to live with her mother which wasn't a loving or supportive family situation. She didn't know who her father was or where and her mother, Dorothy, was a pothead who preferred being called Cloud.
On this street called Firefly Lane lived Kate Mularkey with her parents and eight year old brother. Kate's family was loving but she was in eighth grade and feeling alone. Then she met the new girl on the block who wanted to be called Tully. They needed each other and this was the beginning of a friendship that would last more than thirty years. Two girls from very different family beginnings promised each other to be there for the other through everything. Early on they rode bicycles together and watched the stars and listened to crickets and the popular music of the day.
Tully introduced Kate to makeup, parties and sneaking out of the house and getting arrested by the police. Kate introduced Tully to parents who cared and gave guidance and love.
Tully realized her dream was to be a news anchor and she wanted Kate to do the same. The 'Firefly Lane Girls' began their journeys. Tully was tireless working long hours and sometimes working as a volunteer when she began her broadcasting career. Being in the spotlight and on camera really made her happy.
Kate worked in broadcasting, too, writing and producing. But it just did not give her the same fulfilling feeling that Tully experienced. She wanted to fall in love and have a family of her own. So even though the 'Firefly Lane Girls' took different paths to happiness they remained 'friends forever,' in happy and sad times.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Claire grew up being dragged about the country by her mother only to be left at the Waverly family home in Bascom, North Carolina, with her sister and grandmother. There she learned that her heritage was different from that of normal families. Her sister, Sydney, ran away from that heritage and then return ten years later, in need of security and love. Claire was able to give Sydney a stable home environment plus the encouragement to grow and develop her own special Waverly gift. Claire's gift was in knowing and using plants and flowers in her catering business and relationships with other people. Even Evanelle had a special gift-she gave people gifts which they would someday need. This made Evanelle seem odd but Claire realized she embraced her gift and used it to help people. When Tyler moved next door Claire tried to keep him from becoming acquainted with her world. But if that had worked she would have missed knowing his world. One of the most unusual parts of this story is the apple tree that reaches out to people and throws apples at people. The family does not eat the apples but buries them. If anyone does eat an apple they will have a vision which may or may not be pleasant or terrifying. Claire and her family seem to be guardians of such knowledge and powers.