1. How to Get Real, Honest Community. I think community is so important and I love the messages behind this article. We host a community group through our church weekly and it is one of the most rewarding things we do in terms of authentic fellowship with people who share our beliefs! Now to put the words from the article into genuine practice!
2. Here with another recent read:
The Chaperone. I'm pretty sure I just read the book jacket in a bookstore and then borrowed it from the library, but since then I've seen it reviewed (and raved about!) in a few different places. I was for some reason hesitant to start this book, but once I got reading I really enjoyed the story of Cora Carlisle in 1920s New York City!
3. While we're on the topic of books, let's talk about
It's All About the Guest: Exceeding Expectations in Business and in Life the Davio's Way. Prior to reading this, I'd never heard of Steve Difillippo or the restaurant Davio's. I was sent a review copy of this book (out in 3 days on October 15th!) and dove right in. I wasn't really sure how much I'd like it, especially given that while I love food and restaurants and eating out, I don't really have a desire to build my own restaurant empire. Although this book focuses on explaining the basics of what it takes to run a successful restaurant, I was drawn in by Steve's stories about life in the restaurant business and some of the challenges he faced along the way. You can watch a promo video from Steve himself that captures the essence of the book
here! I didn't love
everything about what he said--he was a little too cutthroat for me in a few segments--but I found his overall messages to be (seemingly) spot-on for his target audience and it was interesting for me, even if I didn't fit that demographic. One thing's for sure...I'll definitely stop in at Davio's if I'm ever in a city where there is one!
4. Let's talk PUMPKIN! If you search for pumpkin in the archives of The Sweets Life, you will find so many pumpkin recipes. Honestly I could probably create a collage of 20+ pictures. Pictured above are a few I wanted to call attention to today. From left to right, beginning in the first row:
Paul's Pumpkin Bars,
Pumpkin Sour Cream Coffee Cake,
Pumpkin Spice Granola,
Pumpkin Roll,
Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip, and
Pumpkin Cake (boring name for something SOOO good!). I can guarantee I'll be making several of these this fall!
One Year Ago: Monster Munch [White Chocolate Popcorn with Candy Corn, Peanuts, and M&Ms]
Two Years Ago: Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins
Three Years Ago: Bombay Sloppy Joes
Four Years Ago: Slow Cooker Indonesian Chicken with Peanut Sauce