Solveig Leithaug and her new album Time

Have you met Solveig Leithaug before?

She is a charming musician with sweet thoughtful music.  She has been around the music industry for many years.  She has worshiped with some of the most amazing singers/songwriters of our time in Christian music.  I love that she has some familiar names collaborating with her on this album with  Reba Rambo-McGuire, Cindy Morgan, Sarah Hart, Anthony Skinner, and Kelly Willard.  It is a lovely album to encourage our souls.

Get to know her a little here in an interview done through the youtube channel of Karen Power.




Solveig's music has a laid back country feel.  It is thoughtful and personal.  She writes from her experiences and deep love of Jesus.  I know many of you will love her sound.  One of her songs from her recent album is called Simple Things.  I encourage you to slow down and take a few minutes to enjoy it here.  When you are done scroll down to the end of this post for a little giveaway magic!




You can find out more about her or connect with her at the following links...

Facebook - SolveigMusic
Instagram - Sophie Lighthouse
Twitter - @SolveigMusic
Her Website - Solveig Music

Her music can be purchased at the following links...

Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2psW00l
Tidal: http://bit.ly/2pYg3QO
iTunes http://apple.co/2qwwoih
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2qwAHKq


Like what you hear?  Want the CD for yourself?  I have ONE to give away!

HOW TO ENTER:  Just leave me a comment below... just one will do it... and tell me what your VERY FAVORITE Christian song is... it can be a praise song, hymn, something from a favorite artists album... whatever brings you to the throne.  Then, I will take the entries in order, give them a number and draw from a hat.... or a jar... or whatever I can put little pieces of paper in and then I will let you know who wins.  You must be over 18 to enter, living in the United States or have an APO address if you live overseas, and you must be willing to give me your address when I contact you so I can mail it to you.  

The giveaway is over by Saturday July 1, 2017 at noon central time!!!

Work for you guys?  

Great!!!  

CONTEST IS OVER!!!

WINNER IS ELIZABETH PRUETT!!! (sent you a message below)

CONGRATULATIONS AND ENJOY THE CD!  

Chef the Movie - a Review

This is one of my most favorite food movies of all time.  I will mention right up front that it has an R rating but it is for the language right up front but the rest of the movie is very family friendly.  I don't condone such language and believe it should not be used in a professional setting but professional kitchens don't always have people in charge that believe that and they set the tone.

This movie is about a professional chef who worked in a restaurant where there was very little freedom for creative expression.  The owner was not willing to release control of the menu.  When a food critic visits he gives a bad review based on the tired old menu that the owner pushed and the chef took the hit in the review.  

Chef, not being tech savvy, signs up for a twitter account and blasts the critic in what he thought was a private message and it goes viral for all to see.  The critic retaliates and the battle is on.  Long story short the chef's career is shut down and he has to find another way to live.  After years of fighting the idea of a food truck he relents and the adventure with his best friend and son begin.

This movie is about dreams and passions, family and friends, finding joy in what you do.  It is a real feel good movie with lots of yummy food and beautiful scenery along the way.  

If you are in the mood for a foodie movie this one just happens to be on Netflix Watch Now right now, too.  

Warning:  It will make you hungry!  You might want to have some sandwich fixings and a Panini press on hand when you watch it.

Here are a few recipes shared from the movie.

I loved it!  Definitely a 4.5 out of 5 for me.  (language kept it from being a 5)

Homesteading Devotional E-Book... a review

I recently received an electronic copy of this charming devotional booklet.  Susie Shock is the homestead blogger over at Our Simple Farm.  The blog is loaded with lots of great tutorials, videos and encouragement for the modern day Christian homesteader.

This e-book contains 15 heartwarming devotionals complete with lovely photography, scripture verses, personal testimony, a closing prayer and a homestead recipe for each day.  Susie opens up her life and heart in each devotional to encourage us through the daily trials and tribulations of being a wife, mother, woman and homesteader in our modern day and age.  She is open and honest about her life and the things that God has brought her family through.  She is quite the busy woman but she takes time to be in prayer and spend time in God's word each day.  I love that she is willing to share the things that God is teaching her in this format.  Her book reminds us in simple daily devotionals that we are not alone.

The recipes she shares are not just for delicious comfort meals, breakfast treats, and desserts (although there are plenty of those... YUM!) but she also shares recipes for making items we use every day like toothpaste and cleaners for around the house, canning ideas, home remedies, and ideas for pampering one's husband.

If you are a Christian homesteading woman I think you will find this devotional a real treat.  It is downloadable in a PDF format that can be added to your computer or e-reader very easily for quick access.

For more information  or to order your own copy you can go to her book site here

Bread & Wine...

I know... I know.... I am MIA a lot lately.  Life is just that way right now but I had to come here and share a real treasure with you.  

I recently got this book in the mail to read.  It was an advanced reader copy that I requested because the topic was right up my ally.  I am not getting paid to tell you how wonderful this book is.... and it is truly wonderful!  I would never say it if it were not true.  It is about my most favorite things and it really touched me in a very personal way as I read it.  It is about food and family and friends and God...

It was written by Shauna Niequist 

(she has written several other books to date:  Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet)

It is about gathering around the kitchen and family table together.  It has everything I look for in a book.  It has stories about family and friends.  It has recipes to share.  It has gluten free and healthy food.  It has the occasional splurge with comfort foods and rich indulgences.  It has recipes that use real food... whole food... butter and wine even!  They are not complicated but they are beautiful and delicious.  I have made several of her recipes as I have been reading the book.  It is a deliciously delightful read about life and how bringing people to the table enhances that in a way that nothing else can.  

I think this says a lot to give you some idea of the beauty of this book...

You can read more about her journey in writing the book here...

Bread & Wine Backstory 

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

It is available right now... at just about any place that sells books

Particularly at Amazon for your convenience

I will share some of the things I have made from the book over the coming week with you as I have an opportunity. 

I truly have enjoyed reading this book!

A True Family Flick...

We took the plunge on opening weekend and went to see the new Pixar hit Ratatouille. I absolutely loved it!!! It was a hit for everyone in our family from age 3 to 42. We laughed and cried and sat on the edge of our seat and got grossed out and and and.... We were spellbound the entire time.

The movie began in a little house in the countryside of France and moved quickly into the amazingly reproduced scenery of Paris. The digital picture was spectacular! The kitchen of the restaurant was spot on as far as a typical French restaurant should be run right down to each Escoffier brigade station.

The rats were adorable and lovable and our children fell in love with them. The music was so enjoyable, too. Pixar wrote a great story and I must admit I was not sure how they would pull a rat in the kitchen off but they did it. There were a few times I cringed at the thought of so many rats in the kitchen but it worked in this movie.


There were some of my favorite aspects of a movie in this...
* Changed characters
* The little guy triumphs
* You can be anything if you work hard enough and want it badly enough
* Love story
* Happy ending
* Lovable characters
* Lots of plot to follow
* Not as predictable as you might think
* Touching teary eyed moments

I won't spoil it for you by giving story and plot away but I will say it is a must see!!! Go and enjoy it as a family. It is language and situation friendly for all ages. Hollywood needs many more of these kinds of movies.

I would give it a 4.5 out of 5 just for the gross factor (my own sensitivities about mice and rats and sanitary issues and such but they may not bother anyone else - it's a chefy thing and maybe a mommy thing). LOL I WILL, however, be buying this one on DVD.