Book Review: Princess Stories: Real Bible Stories of God's Princesses

So I am WAY WAY WAY behind in getting this review posted but life gets in the way of the best of intentions so better late than never! 


Princess Stories: Real Bible Stories of God's Princesses written by Carolyn Larsen and illustrated by Sergey Eliseev was sent to me several months ago for review from Tyndale House publishers. I set it aside for a while as we were in the middle of reading the Magic Tree House books, but I have to say that once we picked it up, I was sorry we hadn't started it sooner! Written with the 4-8 year old girl in mind, this wonderful book has become a favorite in our home. This beautifully written volume brings to life 29 "real life" princesses from the bible and includes not only a paraphrased version of the woman's life but a key verse, a look into her life (in first person narrative) and follow up questions to help prime the heart of your little princesses. The illustrations of each princess are a delight and while I'm sure not accurate, they do help give a face to these beautiful women and their place in our Christian heritage. 


As a mother of two young girls (almost 3 and almost 5) who are both into the "princess thing", this couldn't have come into our lives at a better time. While I do not have a big problem with Disney princesses, it is a really wonderful opportunity to help our girls see the beauty in REAL princesses who have helped to shape the faith we are raising them in.  My girls LOVE reading these short stories about the "real" princesses and ask for this book quite often during our bedtime reading time. They come away from story time taking about the virtues of these women and how God helped them or lead them or used them for His purpose and really enjoy knowing that these women really lived and aren't just make believe. I have recommended this book many times over now to friends with little girls and really suggest anyone who has a princess-loving little one in their lives take a look at it. What better way to encourage "real" princess behavior that to share examples of Godly women that they can look to as they grow!

*DISCLAIMER: While I have not been monitarily compensated for this review, Tyndale House Publishers HAS provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review.

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Book Review: The Dragons of Chiril by Donita K. Paul

You may have noticed that I have recently become a book reviewer for a couple of publishers and will be posting my reviews here on my blog for those who are following... The first book I am reviewing is posted below.  Enjoy the review and be sure to check back for more reviews as I continue to read and share!

Donita K. Paul's Dragon stories are some of my favorites. I am enthralled with her ability to make the fantasy world of dragons and their keepers come alive to those of us who are no longer young enough to believe in such things. The Dragons of Chiril is no exception to this. 

The Dragons of Chiril, previously released as The Vanishing Sculptor, is the story of a young girl, Tipper, who is the daughter of a prominent sculptor and an "eccentric" mother. Her father has disappeared from her life inexplicably several years prior to the opening of the book and Tipper is forced to grow up and take care of not only herself but her mother, who seems to have detached from reality and believes that her husband (Tipper's father) is merely shut up in his studio. Tipper knows that her father would be upset with her for selling his work, but she slowly begins selling them off in order to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. With the help of a wonderful cast of characters, including an over-sized talking parrot named Beccaroon who is seemingly guardian of young Tipper, this is a story of self-discovery and adventure full of interesting settings and even more interesting beings. 

When an aspiring artisan named Bealomondore arrives on her doorstep demanding to meet Tipper's father, the famous sculptor Verrin Schope and hoping for an apprenticeship with him, things start to unravel in Tipper's "normal" world. She soon discovers that her mother is indeed partially correct in the belief Verrin Schope is shut up in his studio when he appears to Tipper in what she assumes is a dream. Soon, however, her father begins to appear in more corporeal form and Tipper finds that her world is forever changed. On a journey to reunite three of the sculptures of her father's that she had previously sold, Tipper is joined by characters from several different walks of life and in fact several different planes of existence. In a world full of dragons and their keepers, magicians and giants, Tipper must find her way not only to rescue the sculptures and save the world but more importantly to find herself. 

One of the things I like best about Donita K. Paul's dragon stories is her inclusion of the "character" of Wulder, a reference to God and His workings in not only this fantasy world but also our own world as well. Where most science fiction/fantasy genre books lead the reader to non-religious thoughts and themes, Ms. Paul's books bring them full circle, back to the Creator. While not overly religious in tone, this adds a wonderful undercurrent to her work in the same vein as CS Lewis's Narnia books. Not as complex in theme as Lewis, her books are a delightful and relatively quick read for young adults-adults and perhaps a slightly more challenging read to younger audiences. 

The Dragons of Chiril is a book you can feel comfortable letting children and young adults read knowing that the themes, settings and language are wholesome overall and do not delve into the seedier side of the sci-fi/fantasy genre as many do. This book is a terrific stand-alone book but can also serve as a great introduction to Ms. Paul's other dragon stories such as DragonSpell


Disclosure: I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Happy Homemaker Monday

I've decided to start participating in Diary of a Stay at Home Mom's Happy Homemaker Mondays as a way to hopefully start posting more on this blog... I hope to kick start regular posts here as a way to share things that aren't shared on my other two blogs: Cookbooks 365 and Scrapping Post. I hope you'll join me as I try to get this going!

The weather in my neck of the woods:

Blech! Misty, rainy, messy :(

Things that make me happy:

My kiddos and my husband (usually!) Cooking and creating!

Book I'm reading:

Little House on the Prairie with my girls

What's on my TV today: 

Nothing at the moment, but I'm sure later it will be Strawberry Shortcake or Max & Ruby :) 

On the menu for dinner:

Crawfish cakes, Salmon, Couscous and maybe paneer with spinach

On my To Do List:

What's NOT on my to do list! Today it's just to get through the day...

New Recipe I tried or want to try soon:

http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2011/11/chocolate-quake-cake.html

In the craft basket:

Working on Prayer Pockets as gifts for my MOPS small group for Christmas

Looking forward to this week:

Girls Nite Out/Book Club

Tips and Tricks:

When icing cupcakes, use a disposable ziplock bag with the corner snipped off for a nice piped top...

My favorite blog post this week: 

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/09/when-its-hard-to-still-keep-on-hoping/

Blog Hopping (a new discovered blog you would like to share with the readers):

http://www.aholyexperience.com

No words needed (favorite photo or picture, yours or others you want to share):

Lesson learned the past few days:

Even a trip to the grocery can be a break when you're desperate!

On my mind:

My brother, who would have really loved watching these two little imps grow up... I miss him so much some times!

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:

Re-reading some passages from Job lately... and trying to remember to be thankful in all things!

 

Hoo Are You Tuesday...

Time for this week's Hoo Are You!... Click the link above to play along!


1. What is your favorite craft or type of craft and if you are a crafter how did you get into it?


I do all kinds of crafts, but probably my favorite would be anything to do with papercrafting. I scrapbook, rubber stamp, make cards, etc. I also love to loom knit and recently picked up a dvd tutorial on tatting that I'm hoping to get to one of these days... I think I got the crafting gene from my mom :)

2. What shows have you been watching this summer?

Um, Backyardigans, Max & Ruby, Veggietales... Can you tell I have kids at home during the summer? Other than those I've not really been watching except a few episodes of Eureka, Warehouse 13 and Alphas on Syfy when I've been able to sneak them in.

3. Who does the yard work at your house?

It's a combination. Mowing and trimming is mostly hubby, but landscaping and gardening is me.

4. Are you working on any projects inside the home or outside this week?

Um, am I ever NOT??? This week though we're trying desperately to finish most of the downstairs flooring (we're replacing ALL the carpeting in the house with floating wood laminate). I'm also cooking up a storm for a fundraiser and for a couple of moms in my moms group who've had babies and other things.

5. Do you have to worry about getting ready for back to school?

Yes and no. I have a preschooler, but she's mostly already ready. I need to get her napmat made, but other than that she's ready.

And so it goes...

Today's post is really just a little rambling from someone who really rarely posts to my blog. Something has been on my heart though lately and I wanted to share it with the blog-o-sphere. I guess I should say someone(s), rather than something. That someone(s) are my dear friend Misty McElhannon and her husband Justin (and their three gorgeous, precious boys!). You may notice a new button on my blog here which will link you to Misty's blog and their story. Let me tell you a little bit about them and how I know them and how God is using them in a mighty mighty way in not only my life but the lives of many many people, and then I'll tell you why (other than the obvious!) this precious family has been on my heart...


I met Misty through the MOPS organization at Boerne First Baptist Church about 2 years ago. She was in charge of "crafts" at the time and I had a couple of boxes of stuff I'd cleared out of my "studio" that I was donating to the group for us to use in our meetings. In that very brief encounter with her, I noticed something special about her. She seemed to glow with energy, love and excitement and I knew I wanted to be her friend. 


Fast forward about 6 months and I heard about a book club that Misty was starting up (not part of MOPS but mostly MOPS members) and having recently stopped going to another book club, I was excited about the idea of joining another, especially one made up of mothers mostly my own age with kids mostly my kids age. Let me preface this by saying that as a rule I'm a very SHY person. I'm an introvert by personality although an extrovert by profession. I know, makes no sense, but put me on a stage and you'll understand! I can speak, act, sing, in front of hundreds with no problem but don't make friends easily or do the "small talk" girlfriend thing very well. As a rule I'm not a very social person, so joining this group of women was a real stretch for me.  But two things drew me to doing so. The first was Misty. I really wanted to get to know her better. The second was the knowledge that I needed friends. We (my husband and I) had moved to Boerne a couple of years prior and I had become a stay-at-home mom in the process, but I hadn't made any real friends and didn't do much outside the house. So, I took the risk and went to that first book club meeting... And I've not looked back since! Those ladies are my best friends, my crazy "girls-nite-out" ladies, my one place (other than with my husband) where I can let my hair down and be myself. Now, I'm still no social butterfly and I still struggle with the whole individual relationship thing, but those ladies have really helped me to start to break out of my shell and Misty has been a great big part of that...


Fast forward again several months, to almost one year ago, and once again Misty was a true lifeline for not only me, but my husband and 2 year old daughter... When I went into labor with our second daughter at 35.5 weeks, it was Misty who coordinated meals, took care of helping us get someone to watch Emma when family was unavailable, checked in on me constantly and just basically showed me the love of Christ in so many ways. If it hadn't been for her and the other ladies who showered us with love during those two weeks in the NICU and then the several months where I was at home alone with the girls due to RSV concerns, I think I would have definitely lost my mind!


Misty is a true testament to the love of Christ and is without a doubt one of the strongest Christian women I know. And that's something I usually don't say about younger women and yet, she's 10(!) years my junior!!! And now, after all the trials they have been through together as a couple with family and children and just life in general, Satan has decided to once again attack this sweet couple with a blitz of health problems in her sweet husband Justin. 


They are currently at the Cleveland Clinic (in Cleveland, Ohio of course!) where Justin has been seeing various specialists and undergoing more tests than most lab rats and meanwhile their three boys are here in Boerne being loved and cared for by family and friends and missing their mom and dad. Justin has been admitted to the hospital now (his second stay there) and things are not looking good... But we know that GOD is the one in control and that regardless of the plagues Satan may be visiting upon his body, it is ultimately GOD who will care for them. 


And now for why, other than the above, this sweet friend is on my heart... Those of you who don't know I have experience in the "worrying about your husband's health" "life or death situation" department. 


Many year ago now (10 in fact) my loving husband Michael was diagnosed (thanks to a wonderful family physician!) with testicular cancer. Within a matter of days, our world was turned upside down. We went from two happily married "kids" to two "adults" overnight. We went from no worries, to worried that Mike wouldn't be around for very long. We had to deal with things like wills and health insurance and life insurance and all the "what-ifs" that go along with life-threatening illness. Words like living will, power-of-attorney, long term disability, and home care were tossed at us. We were lost in a sea of confusion and doubt. Fortunately we had the help of family who work in the medical field who helped walk us through both before and after surgery and the radiation that followed. 


Thanks be to God, Mike's cancer was caught early and after surgery and radiation, he was declared cancer-free. And 10 years later, he is now passed the point where statistics consider him in the same category as those who've never had cancer.  But during the time of his diagnosis, surgery and treatment, we both had the chance to really stop and consider our priorities, to realize that God was first and foremost in our lives and that our marriage was strong enough because of that to withstand the trials that Satan was sending our way. Has that always remained the case? Well, no. Have we had our bad times as well as our good times? Definitely yes. But when I think about my sweet friend and her husband I remember like it was yesterday the worry and heartbreak of knowing the person I loved more than anything in this life was sick and there was nothing I could do to help him. I remember the helpless feeling as they took him in for surgery, the helpless feeling when he was in pain recovering and the helpless feeling when he was dealing with sickness from radiation therapy. And it was only with God's help that I was able to abandon that helplessness and know that while I, as a wife, was helpless to help him, GOD was not. GOD was in control, then as now, and would walk beside us because we asked (begged!) Him to. And so I know, with all confidence, that GOD is also walking hand in hand with Misty and Justin (and the boys) as they deal with this because there is no more faithful example of His love than that family.

So, I'm writing all this, pouring out my heart to you all, asking that you please, please take time to stop whatever you're doing, drop to your knees and pray with abandon for this precious family. Visit Misty's blog and read their story. Consider coming to or donating to the fundraiser pancake supper that has been planned for them on August 10th. Share their story with others you know who will pray and petition the Lord on their behalf. There may not be much I can do for this sweet family other than this, but if I can draft others into the cause of prayer for them, how much stronger that petition will be. 

If you have made it all the way to the end of this rambling post, then THANK YOU! And thank you for praying for and supporting this sweet, sweet family, now and in the future...

-Christi

Hoo Are You Tuesday...

It's been a while since I played along, but here are this week's questions... Click the link above to play along!


1. Have you ever attended a professional sports game?

Yes pro baseball and basketball...

2. Have you ever been to a concert and if so which one was your ultimate favorite performance?

Quite a few... my favorite was by far seeing Amy Grant in concert although Bon Jovi, Rolling Stones and Heart are close as well!

3. Have you ever been to Disneyland or Disney World?

Disney World a few times.

4. What is your favorite theme park?

Favorite of all would be Disney, but I get to visit others more often so my favorite local would be Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

5. Do you have a favorite vacation spot?

Anywhere I can go and be with my kids and/or hubby... I love Fredericksburg for quick getaways and the coast for longer times, but favorite spot of all would have to be Colorado.

Handling the Roots of Disrespect

Mom friends, how do/did you handle the roots of disrespect? 

Yes, we're in the throws of "toddlerhood" where "no" is her favorite response to being told to do something and "shhhh" is her favorite way to try and prevent us from telling her something in the first place. Time outs aren't very effective and we try to reserve spankings for dangerous situations only (running into the street for example) so I'm just wondering how others have handled the beginnings of disrespect... 

I know she's too young to understand the concept of "honor your mother and father" although I've tried to explain to her what "respect" and "obey" and "disrespect" and "disobedient" mean, and I don't like having to constantly be battling her. Yes, I do "pick my battles" and let the little stuff go, but when she's deliberately disobedient or disrespectful, what is the best way to deal with it? What can I do with her at 2.5 to help set a good presidence for the future? When I tell her to do something and she tells me to "shhh"? When she outright refuses to do what she's told?

For the moment I'm just praying for patience and guidance... And realizing that my mom was right when she said "paybacks are he**" :)

Hoo R U Tuesday...

It's time for another round of "Hoo Are You" Tuesday! Click the button to play along...



1. What did you get/give for Valentine's Day?Well, I'm kind of of the opinion that V-day is a greeting card holiday, so that's what I got and gave...well, that and moving my 6 month old to her own room so hubby and I have ours back to ourselves... 
2. Do you have a vacation planned in the next couple of months or in the summer?Yes, sort of... We're going to go to Ohio to visit extended family, for a memorial for my great-aunt,  and to help get my grandmother ready to move down here!
3. What is one thing you do to pamper yourself?Um, what's pampering? Honestly, I don't. Probably should, but I don't...
4. What sparks your interest to other people's blogs?Creativity, new ideas, and a good writing style. That or the fact that I personally know the blogger :)
5. What kind of a mood are you in today?Grumpy I'm afraid...kids kept me up a lot last night and I've got a migraine so I'm not exactly feeling ship-shape :(

Hoo R U Tuesday...

Ok, so I'm a bit late posting last week's Hoo Are You...but I'm still gonna post it! :)

It's time for another round of "Hoo Are You" Tuesday! Click the button to play along...



1. Are you married/in a relationship/single? For how long?
Married...for 15 1/2 years to my wonderful, loving hubby Michael

2. What do you do for a living? Do you enjoy it?
I'm a wife and mother primarily, and a homemaker secondarily :)

3. In what state do you live? Where were you born and raised?

I live in Texas and was born in Texas. I spent most of my childhood in Ohio but got back to Texas as quick as I could!

4. Do you have children? If so, how many? If not, do you want them?
Yes, two, ages 2 1/4 and almost 6 months, both girls :)
 
5. Who is your favorite blogger to follow and why?

I don't think I can pick a favorite...I have so many I love to follow! (yes, it's a cop-out, I know!)

Hoo R U Tuesday...

It's time for another round of "Hoo Are You" Tuesday! Click the button to play along...

 


1. Do you wear glasses or contacts, if so for how long?
NO! I did for a while, but last appointment was told I didn't need them! YAY!

2. What was your favorite board game as a kid?
Not sure...probably Candyland, but I preferred card games like UNO and War


3. What is a word that you use all the time?
Whatever! And I know it's gonna come back to haunt me when my 2 year old starts up with it... :(
 
4. What is your favorite day of the week?
Saturday because I have an extra set of hands at home to help child-wrangle!


5. Did you graduate high school from the town you grew up in?
Yes and no... I grew up in a few different places, but I graduated from high school in the place I spent my Jr. and Sr. High days in. Still live close by in fact...

Hoo Are You Tuesday

So here are this week's Hoo Are You Tuesday questions and answers... Click the button to play along...

 

 1. Do you use an alarm clock or some device to wake you up, or do you wake up on your own?

Well, kids don't really count as a "device", so on my own I guess :)

2. If you could go on any game show, which won would you choose?
Probably Wheel of Fortune, although I love Jeopardy as well

3. Do you prefer the weather to be hot or cold?
In between... I don't like either extreme really...But I think if I had to choose I'd go for hot because I absolutely hate being cold!

4.What color of clothing do you wear the most?
Either black or purple I think, although I've added more pink now that I have girls...
 
5. What is your favorite color?
Probably purple although I like lots of colors so it changes pretty frequently

Hoo Are You Tuesday?

So here are this week's Hoo Are You Tuesday questions and answers... Click the button to play along...

 



 1. Did you make any New Year's Revolutions?
Only one... I resolved not to make any resolutions!
2. What are some goals you have for 2011?
To be a better wife and mother. To lose the baby weight. To clean out the garage and office space so they're usable. To enjoy my babies while they're babies...
3. What is something that you got for Christmas?
Time with my mom. That was the best gift :)
4. Did you see any good movies over the holiday season? 
Not at the theater, but I always enjoy watching White Christmas, It's A Wonderful Life, Polar Express and Miracle on 34th Street on TV...
5. Do you do your own taxes or have someone do them for you?
We do our own...

Hoo Are You? Tuesday

So this is actually LAST week's Hoo Are You...but I was a little busy last week with a very sick toddler, so please forgive the late posting!

1. What is your favorite part of the holiday season?
a. spending time with the family
b. giving and receiving gifts
c. sleeping
d. eating and drinking

Definitely A although I enjoy all 4 things. But spending time with family is by far my favorite part of the holidays!

 

2. What is your least favorite part of the holiday season?

a. spending time with the family
b. giving and receiving gifts
c. sleeping
d. eating and drinking

Of those, if I had to choose a LEAST favorite, it would be the gifts, only because that's not reason for the season for me...

3. Do you bake goodies during the holidays? If so do you eat them, give them away or both?

 

Always, Always, Always... And I eat them and give them away, both. Some as gifts, some as extra treats for special people and some just because. And I absolutely try and give away more than I eat! 

 

4. Are you already for Christmas?

 

I was mostly ready this year. If my toddler hadn't come down sick the week before Christmas I would have been completely ready, but caring for a 2 year old with sinus and ear infections kinda took precedence...

 

5. What activities do you do on Christmas day?

 

We have a fun moment where our daughter (and next year both daughters...one was too young this year!) come down the stairs to see what Santa left them, then we have a yummy brunch of some sort followed by play time with the new toys and some clean up, then a mid-afternoon nap followed by a yummy Christmas dinner. This year it was all at our house for the first time and we had a great time!

Hoo Are You? Tuesday

Are you ready for another week of Hoo Are You!

   

1. Do you like to listen to Christmas music?

Yep.  Sometimes find myself turning on the Christmas music in July...especially when overly hot in Texas!

2. Are you one of those people who get all their shopping done early, or do you do most of it in December?
Well, I TRY and get it done throughout the year, but with two littles in the house, it's not always possible.  Almost done this year though!

3. Do you set a budget on how much you spend on each person?
Sort of...Nothing concrete, but we do try and stay within a certain amount

4. Do you send out Christmas cards?
Absolutely! And I LOVE to get them in return as well!

5. Do you enjoy this holiday season or does it stress you out?
A little of both I think. Sometimes I forget the reason for the season and that's when I get stressed, but if I stop and take the time to remember why we celebrate and who we're celebrating, I regain my sense of peace.

Hoo Are You? Tuesday

Time for another week of Hoo Are You!

1. Name 5 things you are grateful for!

family

friends

my husband and my two beautiful girls, all of whom I adore

a life worth living 

a Savior who loves me no matter what (do I have to stop at 5?)

2. What is you favorite dish at Thanksgiving dinner?

gotta be dessert... especially pumpkin pie!

3. Do you have any family traditions for Thanksgiving?
Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade and being with family

4. Are you staying home or traveling for Thanksgiving?
 Sorta both... We'll be in our home town, but at my dad and stepmom's place with them, my mom who's traveling in to be with us, dad's parents (my grandparents), some friends and then in the evening my sister, her husband and my niece...
 
5. What else do you do on Thanksgiving day besides eat?
Mainly just be with family

Hoo Are You? Tuesday

It's time for another "Hoo Are You?" Tuesday...










1. Do you ever burp out loud in private or public?

Not if I can help it, and then only if I excuse myself afterward.
2. How often do you get sick each year?
Truly sick, like from the Flu, not usually at all, but allergies and sinus keep me sicker than I'd like quite a bit as do the occasional migraine.
3. Would you rather paint a room in your house yourself, or have someone else do it for you?
Depends...do I get to choose the color? If so, then let someone else paint, as long as they get it done!
4. If you get 30 minutes to yourself, what do you do?
First choice: Sleep! Second choice: Read or FB :)
5. Do you allow people to wear shoes in your house?
Yes, although I don't mandate it nor do I personally wear them

Hoo Are You?

Thanks to my friend Misty for introducing me to this question/answer set at Night Owl Crafting!

 

Here are this week's question? 

1. Name two things you consider yourself to be very good at.

being "me" and cooking (usually)

2. Name two things you consider yourself to be very bad at.  

keeping my temper and having patience

3. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

Absolutely!  God has a plan for us all!

4. What is something you have eaten lately that you shouldn't have?

Halloween candy

5. Do you think the time should change or leave it alone?

leave it! I hate the time change!

Daily Dilemma - Wish Lists

Ok, so this may not work, but I'm going to try and start posting to this blog daily with a "daily dilemma". This will be a question that pops into my head on a subject just about anything. You know, those annoying little questions that you think to yourself every day and wonder what others think. So I'm going to start posting my daily dilemma and hope that some of you out there in the ether will respond back with your opinions on the subject...

Today's Daily Dilemma: Wish Lists: Greedy or Good Idea?

So I was thinking today about Christmas present shopping which I usually try and have done or at least planned out before Thanksgiving. And always around this time of year I start hearing from family the question "What do you want for Christmas" and "What should we get E for Christmas" and "What should we get M for Christmas" (for those who don't know, "E" is my daughter, who is 14 months old and M is my husband).

Now, I usually keep a list on my computer of things I hear people mention throughout the year that they would like to have. It's my way of being able to surprise them with gifts on birthdays, Christmas, etc. But I don't share those lists as a rule because I only keep them for me... But as I was looking over E's list that I keep on Amazon, I realized it would be SO EASY to just create a wish list for her and send out the link and be done with it. Now, this list is things that I'd like to get her someday or things that other mommy friends have recommended or things that I've seen other kids with that I thought she'd like, etc. Some of the things are small things like books I think she'd like and some are bigger things like a wagon that seats two. Some are things that unless we win the lotto we probably won't be able to afford any time soon (like a swing set) and some are things that we'll probably eventually get her (like books). But all are things that I think she'd like or things she needs. So my dilemma is do I send out an email with a link to this list and a note saying, "just in case you were wondering what to get her" or does that seem greedy?

On the subject of wish lists in general, what do you think? Are they helpful or hurtful? For example, wedding and baby registries? Those are "wish lists" aren't they? Do you like them or prefer not to use them? I personally like to check them, but I may or may not buy something from them depending on my budget, how well I know the person, etc. And little kids often write letters to Santa with their wish lists... Do you, as their parent, pass those lists on or do you consider them strictly a "Mom & Dad" thing?

Is there an age at which a wish list becomes greedy rather than good idea? For instance, I have my own wish list on Amazon of things I'd like to have. I have a "book list" I have a "gift idea" list, I have a cd/dvd list and an MP3 list. I don't usually share those with anyone (except hubby when he asks) but I keep them so I can remember things I've seen that I'd like to have. Occasionally when I get a gift card or some birthday/Christmas money I use it to buy a thing or two off that list, but is that something that would be greedy if I were to share it or would it be a good idea so people know what to look for?

Is it a wish list if it's compiled by someone else? For instance, E isn't old enough yet to tell me what she wants, so it's not really "her" wishes on that list but our (mainly my) wishes for her. And M is old enough to tell me his wish list, but if the list I have is things that he hasn't specifically TOLD me to put on the list, is it his wish list or my suggestions of things he might like? In those cases does it make it ok for me to share the lists because they're my suggestions and not their wants? And does that mean that I shouldn't share my own but should rely on hubby to tell others his suggestions for what to give me? (Ugh! What a thought! LOL!)

So, what do you think? Wish lists - Good Idea or Greedy?

Indian Dinner - Salmon and zucchini with couscous

Ok, I've made these recipes a few times now and they have become a favorite, so I thought I'd share them with you all in blogland... The first is for an indian spiced salmon which is super simple to make and super yummy! The second recipe is for an indian zucchini which I've also made with eggplant, both of which are super yummy! I serve both these dishes with some tri-color couscous, made according to directions. Both the zucchini and salmon recipes come from the web, with a little tweaking of my own. Enjoy!

Indian-spiced Salmon
This recipe was originally from Everyday Food on PBS

Serves 4 | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes

This salmon recipe utilizes a combination of spices — ginger, turmeric, and coriander — for unique results that draw on the flavors of India.

1/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 skinless salmon fillets (each 6 ounces and about 1 inch thick)
Vegetable cooking spray

1. Heat broiler. In a small bowl, combine yogurt, ginger, turmeric, coriander, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
2. Spray a broiler pan or rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Place salmon on pan. Spread yogurt mixture on top of fillets, dividing evenly. Broil until fish is just opaque throughout, 12 to 14 minutes. Serve immediately.

My notes: For me this is done in more like 10 minutes and is about 6" from the broiler element in the oven. It makes a great left over salad addition too!

Indian-Style Zucchini

This recipe was originally from Earthbound Farms, the produce people...

A potpourri of Asian spices and aromatics really jazzes up zucchini, or many other vegetables for that matter, such as green beans, okra or eggplant. The dish is delicious served hot or at room temperature.

Serves 2

3 tablespoons sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon black or brown mustard seeds
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 cup finely minced yellow onion
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
5 cups diced zucchini (about 5 medium, cut into 1/2-inch dice)
1 small jalapeno or serrano chile, finely minced, or to taste
Salt, to taste

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat; when it's hot, add the oil and mustard seeds to the dry skillet. Cover the pan with a lid, and cook until the seeds pop, about 1 minute. Uncover the pan and add the cumin, turmeric, coriander, garam masala, and onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger, garlic, and zucchini, and stir fry until the zucchini is crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chili and cook another minute. Season to taste with salt.

My notes: I've tried this with eggplant as well as zucchini and both are delicious. The first time I made this I didn't have any turmeric or ground coriander on hand so I used yellow curry powder instead of the cumin, coriander and turmeric. It tasted great that way too. For anyone having trouble finding garam masala, check your local Cost Plus World Market. They have a great international food selection! Also, I cooked this for longer than they specify since we like our zucchini a little softer and cooking the eggplant down makes it more custardy and yummy. I also didn't have any serrano peppers on hand so used two green thai peppers instead. This is a fabulous dish and my new favorite leftover as well.

Hope you enjoy!