Meet the Unexpected… I Did.
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I remember submitting for the win of this book at the Friendly Book Nook. I liked the concept of women’s stories and their recipes… you get a little healing in both. But, for some reason, I didn’t remember reading that it was a Christian book. Boy, am I glad that it was!

The Review:
Title: Starting From Scratch When You’re Single Again

Authors: Sharon M. Knudson & Mary Fran Heitzman

Author’s Website: www.startingfromscratchbooks.com

Publisher: Christian Life, A Strang Company

Publisher’s Website: www.strangdirect.com

Type: Non-Fiction, Faith
Number of Pages: 214 paperback
ISBN #: 978-1-59979-254-5


Sharon M. Knudson
This book took me by surprise. To be honest, I think that God is more deserving of my love than what I am giving to him. This year has been such a year of despair, grief, and turmoil. I feel like I keep turning to him, begging for his hand in my life. What I’ve forgotten, I think, is to give it back. I have to remember to glorify him, thank him, talk to him, and praise him. I haven’t done enough of that.

Don’t get me wrong, the book was lovely. It is just such a personal book. I’m sure that what I read and get out of it will be totally different than what another reader may take from it. The book was well organized, beautifully illustrated, clean and concise. I knew just what to expect, format-wise, as I read on. I appreciate that sort of thing being the right-brained person that I am!

What this book is about, in my opinion, is more than just a compilation of 23 womens’ stories about rebuilding their lives after the devastation of death or divorce. This book is about finding your way to the life that God intended you to live. For me, it was about believing, despite the odds, that God will provide for me the exact life that he has in mind for me. It’s about remembering to place your faith in him to protect you and your children.

Mary Fran Heitzman
There are many images in this book that are powerful for me. The image of God’s angels standing guard at the front and rear of a woman’s home jumps into my mind and will be an image I’ll never forget. There’s also the images of a woman, brutally beaten and five months pregnant. God restored her life and her baby’s. There are images of these wonderful ladies being faced with the death of their husbands in finding them deceased or under attack. The images are strong, for me. I will never forget this book.

When I think about my life in 2008, all I can think about is the immense pain that I suffered. I keep thinking that I’ve forgiven those people who enacted such betrayal upon me. But, when I am still haunted by nightmares at night I am reminded that I still haven’t let it go. And, I know that there is so much more that I want to say to clear things up and set the record straight. But, honestly, what good would that do at this point? I know who I am from the inside out and God knows me even better than that.

Things are not as they should be in my life, financially and emotionally. But, I have asked God to provide me with exactly what I need to live out his plan for me. And, I’m living in faith that my “Starting Over From Scratch” will be the best story of my life. Nobody can take away from me my accomplishments and relationships. I believe they speak for themselves. And, as far as the relationships lost… well, maybe that love really was never there to begin with. The twins and I will find our way because we have GOD on our side! And, we will honor the truth in our lives.

On the bright side of my “Starting From Scratch,” I found a voice in myself that has been dead for a long time. I love, love, love to write and am so blessed to have started A Novel Menagerie. The way that God placed Lisa in my life was perfect in every way. And, now my blog and new, family company are the things in my world that I enjoy above all else. I’m determined to finish that novel, as long as it takes. I AM A WRITER. And, when people ask what I do for a living… no matter what job I’m performing to bring in a household income, I will reply, “I am a writer.” Because I am. So, I will remember 2008 as my year of “Starting From Scratch.” I will remember that God brought me a greater understanding of what being a mother is all about. I will remember that God gave me my voice back. I will remember that God revealed my true friends and family. I will remember that, with God at the wheel, I cannot be steered in the wrong direction again.

I told you, this book was me meeting with the unexpected!
Favorite Quotes of the Book:
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But, if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matt. 6:14-15, NLT)

“Make a list of your talents and resources. Try to match your income-earning ability with something you love to do.”

“The Lord never promised us a life without pain. He only promised that He would be there for us. But, remember, He can’t help us if we don’t let him in.”

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17-18)

“Ask God to help you to forgive and to set your spirit free.”

“Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.” (1 Pet. 5:7 TLB)

“I was angry with God and couldn’t feel his presence, but I decided to talk to Him anyway and tell Him how I felt.”

“Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10)

“Try not to be impatient with God.”

” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jer. 29:11)

“Writing on a regular basis helps us to see from an external perspective that He is with us all the time and works everything for our good.”

Recipe From the Book:
Cherry Macaroon Cookies

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cut shortening

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 1/4 tsp. pure almond extract

3 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

3/4 cup maraschino cherries, drained and diced

2 cups sweetened shredded or flaked coconut

1 cup nuts, coarsely chopped (use almonds, walnuts, pecans, or macadamia nuts)

Cream together butter and shortening. Gradually add sugar, eggs, and almond extract. Cream well. Blend in flour, baking powder, and salt. Add maraschino cherries, coconut and nuts by hand (don’t over-mix).

Drop rounded tablespoon onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees until peaks are lightly browned. Makes 5-6 dozen.

Optional White Frosting

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

Transfer cooled cookies to waxed paper or a baking rack. Combine white chocolate chips and oil, and place in microwave on high, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Drizzle frosting over the cookies using a back and forth motion. Let frosting harden before storing.

Sher’s “Out of Ten” Scale:
The sure-tell sign that I liked a book is a ton of “quotes” from the book. Obviously, there were many here. But, most of the quotes were from my most important book, The Bible. I’m not reviewing The Bible (hint: It’s a 10), but rather a book that, on some level, I needed to read. I’ve had this book since late October and just hadn’t gotten around to it, I think I needed to be in a certain frame of mind when I read it. I’m glad that I waited. Ladies… for the genre of spiritual/inspiration, I’m giving this book a 9 out of 10!

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