I'm a full-time mummy

I came across a cookbook which was available for review on netGalley and decided to request it. The book is called: "FINE COOKING APPETIZERS".

Title: Fine Cooking Appetizers - 200 Recipes for Small Bites with Big Flavor
Publisher:  The Taunton Press
ISBN: 9781600853302
Paperback: 256 pages (194 full-color photographs)
Dimension: 8 7/8 x 10 7/8  in.

Description from the product page:
"From simple to sophisticated, the 200 recipes in Fine Cooking Appetizers will get any party started. This latest collection of recipes from Fine Cooking features the best starters and small bites for any occasion, from holiday party to weeknight noshing. Like each issue of Fine Cooking, the delicious recipes are accompanied by time-saving tips, step-by-step techniques, and handy kitchen advice. In addition, fun cocktails, party menus, and entertaining tips will make this the only guide you need for year-round celebrations and get-togethers."

For more info on the author, you can check out the www.FineCooking.com website.

I was attracted to the cute cover, and the prospect of finding yummylicious appetizer recipes are exciting! 

The appetizers are segregated into 6 categories:
* Quick & Simple
* Passed & Plated
* Spread & Scooped
* Sliced & Served
* Stuffed & Skewered
* Sips & Sweets

The few recipes which caught my attention (and bookmarked of course!) because of their simplicity and easy to get ingredients are: Saucy Grilled Chicken Wings, Cheese Sables, Mini Potato Latkes,Garlic Roasted Shrimp Cocktail (very appetizing picture!), Crispy potatoes with tangy tomato sauce,  Tiny Twice Baked Potatoes , Mini Savory Clafoutis, and so on.

I love it that this book came with additional tips for the reader such as guide in buying corn, to butterfly shrimp, and so on. And I totally love the recipe on basic tart dough (I've been looking for one that is simple and easy to do for a while!).

The only thing I'd like to improve on with this book is that the pictures for the recipes be sorted or shown accordingly, as some picture came before the recipe, some after, which gets confusing at times.

If you are often entertaining guests at home and is looking for more creative ideas to spice up your appetizers, do consider getting this book! For me, I'd like to give one of these recipes I've bookmarked a try one of this days!

You can purchase this book from Taunton Press website or from Amazon .

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with a galley proof of the book via my association with netGalley as a reviewer in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine.

And if you'd like to read my previous book reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My Book Reviews"

I had the good fortune of reviewing a newly released book by David Erik Nelson called: "Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred: Seriously Geeky Stuff to Make with Your Kids"

Title: Snip, Burn, Solder, Shred: Seriously Geeky Stuff to Make with Your Kids
Author: David Erik Nelson
Publisher:  No Starch Press
ISBN: 9781593272593
Paperback: 360 pages
Dimension: 9.2 x 7 x 1 inches

David Erik Nelson is a freelance writer and former high school teacher. His fiction has been nominated for a Nebula award and has appeared in Asimov's, The Best of Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, and the forthcoming Steampunk Reloaded anthology. He developed the projects in this book at an alternative school, with plenty of feedback from his students. He is a contributor to the "Ask the Giant Squid" advice column at Poor Mojo's Almanac(k), a weekly online literary journal. You can also check out the author at his personal blog at: http://www.davideriknelson.com/sbsb/

The cover is a bit geeky for me but its title sounds excitingly dangerous and fun! Step-by-step books with illustrations, instructions and a book that comes with 24 quirky DIY projects that we can try on have always caught my fancy.

The book divides itself into 3 parts: Kid Stuff wherein the skills taught include basic sewing, carpentry, and electronics: Electro-Skiffe Band, which is an all music projects and requires slightly more advanced carpentry and soldering skills and The Locomotivated which is dedicated to flying and projectile toys.

Some of the projects, however, are too advanced for me, especially those under the Electro-Skiffe Band part. For example, the “x-Ray Talking Drum” project requires tools and supplies which are much more difficult for me to obtain, such as a large X–ray and a miter box.

I do love the fact that the projects in this book are designed to cost $10 or less and include kid-friendly crafts such as my favorites which are “The Sock Squid”, “Cardboard Boomerangs” and “FedEx Kites”, all of which are made of products which can be found in our home and does not costs much at all!

This book is a good choice for parents or teachers who would like to try their hands on craft-works which do not costs much and at the same time wants to learn useful skills in sewing, carpentry, electronics, and soldering.

You can get this book from Amazon, o'Reilly and even from the publisher website itself, which is No Starch Press.

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with a copy of the book by the publisher (No Starch Press) via my association with BookPleasures in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine.

And if you'd like to read my previous book reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My Book Reviews"

As part of the BookSneeze Blogger Reviewer program, I'm always on the look out for good Christian books. When I received the early invitation to review the latest books from Max Lucado, I immediately jump at the chance and monitored the time when the opportunity is available.

Here is my review of the latest book from Max Lucado entitled "OUTLIVE YOUR LIFE: YOU WERE MADE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE"

Author: Max Lucado
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 14, 2010)
ISBN: 978-0849920691
Hardcover: 240 pages
Dimension: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches

Excerpts taken from Amazon product description:

"These are difficult days in our world's history. 1.75 billion people are desperately poor, natural disasters are gouging entire nations, and economic uncertainty still reigns across the globe. But you and I have been given an opportunity to make a big difference. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God's love and life? We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven, but here on earth. Let's live our lives in such a way that the world will be glad we did."

I'm already so inspired just by reading the fable of "Finding Father Benjamin"! This book is awesome! I love the part where Lucado said "You've been given your life. No one else has your version. You'll never meet anyone who has your exact blend of lineage, loves and longings. Your life will never be lived by anyone else." I totally agree with this statement!

Also, the sentence on "goodness that outlasts the grave,  love that outlasts the final breath" resonates deeply within me. Yes, I want my life to matter! I want to be able to leave something meaningful when it's time for me to go one day.

In chapter 2 (Calling Mr. Pot Roast), I am totally blown away by the inspiring work of Edith, Joe, Liz and Caleb. The sentence on "God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called" is so inspiring. I hope that I could contribute to the work of our Lord even though I'm a mere SAHM now. And I am reminded again with the verse from the bible (also mentioned at the end of chapter 2) which is: 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 (NIV) "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

As for the rest of the chapters, all are equivalently inspiring and leave me pondering whether I am making the most out of my life. Please do get a copy of this book and read for yourself to know more. This is a must read!

You can get the Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make A Difference book from Amazon website or directly from Max Lucado's website.

I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with a copy of the book by Book Sneeze in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous book reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My Book Reviews"