It's almost Christmas!
I am seriously lacking the Christmas Spirit this year, not exactly sure why. Yet, I am not filled with the requisite excitement. Perhaps, it has something to do with me not having an oven and not being able to bake the usual goodies. Hopefully this will be rectified soon, and I will be able to have the joy of taking Christmas goodies from my oven. I did find an amazing no bake recipe at the minimalist baker, so we can have cheer without an oven.
This year there has been so much death and sickness, and the season is marred with the illness of a family member and the death of a fellow church member. It is necessary at times like these to remember the little things that bring joy and gladness. For example, the cheesy Christmas movies that I love so much. Wrapping gifts for family members, envisioning them being opened and the delight of my four year old when we pass a house that is covered in lights.
I am happy to be home from school and able to bury myself in the pages of books. I just completed the Giver Quartet by Lois Lowry, years ago I had read and loved The Giver. The other three books in this series were not as good as that one but were still pretty satisfying.
I had the chance to read The Patmos Deception* by Davis Bunn. I find that I need a change in my reading, so I find myself more interested in mysteries and adventures rather than romance. This book had a little romance and lots of mystery and adventure. The story takes place in Greece with the financial collapse as a prominent feature in the story. Carey Mathers loses a job opportunity and meets a family that cares for her as if she were one of them. Nick, an old crush and love interest, offers her a job and a chance to put her expertise (forensic archaeology) to work searching for corrupt people intent on stealing a great treasure. Dimitri, my favorite character, lives on a small Greek island that Carey and Nick travel to. Dimitri shows so much growth as a character, and his inner thoughts revealed so much. I did not like the way the story ended, it seems as if there is more to come. What did the ancient artifact say? Who will Carey end up with? All questions that were unanswered. If you want a break from monotony and want to learn a little about Greece, The Patmos Deception is for you, but if you need a story with no loose threads, you may want to pass on this one.
Well, most of you already know what you are cooking for Christmas dinner. I usually eat with my extended family at our annual party. This will be an adventure, as most of the food will not be vegan. I will prepare Dreena Burton's Festive Chickpea Tart. I plan to do some desserts, so I will be well-fed. I also love when people taste a dessert, then follow that with "This is vegan!!???"
I hope that your Christmas is filled with joy, peace and lots of delicious food!
*A free copy of this book was provided by Bethany House Publishers.
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