Book Review: Have Gavel, Will Travel

When looking at this book, I chose to read it because I thought it would be entertaining.  Having spent some time in a courtroom daily practicing law, I was curious what a judge would write about his experience.  This book did not disappoint, it had humor and thoughtful perspective on life and family.  I was most interested in the different cases he presented and how he struggled with making some of the decisions. Some of the cases reminded me of my own clients, some good people and some bad.  I did enjoy this book and recommend it to anyone who is curious about the people in the courtroom and what they think about the experience. 

Book Review: Daily Tortilla

Corn tortillas are used in our home as commonly as bread.  Surprisingly, we have never before attempted to make them at home.  And I am so glad we did!  Using the recipe in this book was surprisingly easy and fast (now we just need a tortilla press!!).  I am sure we will never buy tortillas from the store again.  I have always thought the store bought corn tortillas have a weird taste, and they seem to crumble a lot (no matter what brand).  Our homemade ones taste delicious, and stay together well!  We finally have a happy compromise for tortillas in our gluten free home. (My husband prefers that I do not bring wheat home!)

I also made the Mexican Cream.  We prefer to make things as fresh as possible, and this was easy to make.  I used it in the Enchilada Sauce.  I did not taste it prior to adding it to the sauce because I don’t really like sour cream if I can actually taste it.

And finally, I made the Swiss Enchiladas.  I have never heard of these, apparently they were made by Swiss immigrants to Mexico.  These were amazing!!  I will happily be eating these for the rest of the month (I meant to make a double batch, but it turned out to be a lot more than a double batch.)  I never would have thought to make a sauce out of zucchini and spinach for enchiladas.  And cilantro.  I might have gone a little overboard on the cilantro, but I loved it.  My 3 year old daughter and husband loved them too.  My daughter wanted to help, and had a great time taking the skin off of the tomatillos, and collecting their seeds to plant in our garden.  Tomorrow I’ll have her help me make up more enchiladas to store in the freezer.  I love having projects she can help me with.  I’m sure I will make these enchiladas for years to come and I am looking forward to trying more authentic recipes from this book!

Book Review: A Mother's Greatest Gift

I rarely read parenting books because they often make me feel like I am inadequate or doing something wrong.  But not this book!  Heidi Poelman’s book, A Mother’s Greatest Gift, is inspiring and reminded me of many things I have done right as a mother of an almost 4 year old and a 7 month girls. 

Heidi is teaching us about motherhood, but uses the scriptures and the prophets.  Many of the quotes and scriptures are some of my favorite; looking at them through the lens of motherhood gives me a different perspective on how I can apply them in my life. I love that everything is compiled together with a focus on mother.  Yes, I can read each talk and each scriptures that she uses, but it is so helpful to see and to ponder how they apply to motherhood.

For example, she quotes President Henry B. Eyring, 

“He sends truth line upon line, like the lines on the page of a book. Each time a line of truth comes to us, we get to choose what we will do about the light and truth God has sent to us. If we try hard to do what that truth requires of us, God will send more light and more truth. It will go on, line after line, as long as we choose to obey the truth.”

This quote made me think about how we can receive more and more revelation to help our children and act upon that revelation.  Our Heavenly Father does not leave us alone to raise our children!

 
Heidi also shares examples of spiritual experiences mothers have with their children.  Reading about the different experiences, reminds me of how unique we are and how much the same we are, and that the Spirit will help us.  Each story was another witness for me that the Lord loves us.

The book is divided up into different topics for each chapter.  Some of the topics are the Holy Ghost, seeking revelation, and receiving promptings.  In each chapter she shares different teachings and real life example, including some from her own life.  She also explains the topic.  In each chapter, I am reminded of my own experiences when I have listened to the Holy Ghost and received revelation and have felt the Spirit being a mother.  Some of the revelation has been “bigger,” revelation I believe saved my children’s life.  Some of the revelation I remembered were little, and maybe only special to me and my daughters.  Being reminded of my revelations reminds me that I am doing motherhood right and the Spirit will continue to help me, despite the mistakes I have made (and I’m sure I will make more in the future.) 

This is a book I will read again and again to be uplifted and to renew during the ups and downs of motherhood.