In The Heart of a Mustang by M.J. Evans-I Read Book Tours Review

About the book

 In the Heart of a Mustang is one of the finest books ever written for teens and preteens." — Literary Classics

Hunter was told that his father was a brave soldier and virtuous man. Someone that Hunter needed to emulate. The only problem is that the whole story was a lie, all of it. The truth is that his father has spent the entirety of Hunter’s life in jail, paying his sorry debt to society. Angry and hurt, Hunter gets into some serious trouble and is sent to Promise Ranch, a home for troubled teenage boys. 

A wild mustang mare and her herd are rescued from certain starvation by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In a sandy corral at Promise Ranch, Hunter and the mare meet. It takes a weathered, old cowboy to bring them together—a mentor for one, a trainer for the other. The bond that forms between boy and horse becomes one that saves the lives of both.

2016 Literary Classics Gold Medalist

2016 Nautilus Book Awards Silver Medalist

2017 Readers' Favorite International Book Award Silver Medalist

2017 Equus Film Festival Gold Medalist

And I thought 
I love a good horse book.  Author M.J. Evans does not disappoint.  I can highly recommend this book for all readers young and old. 

This one brought back some special memories for me in reading a chapter book together with my teenagers waaaaay back in the day. 

If you have teens and even young children that love horses check this one out.  

I loved the story.  The chapters are easy to read and not too long for the reader that needs fast paced reading.  I especially liked graphics added in the text at the beginning of each chapter.  And, the print copy I received is printed in a larger format.  This made it super easy for me to read. 

The inscription describes this book  better than I could  . . . 

Everyone needs loyalty, love and at times 

healing.

Lucky is the soul who finds all three

In the Heart of a Mustang. 

Buy the book 

Amazon 

To read more reviews click here. 

Menu Monday-Freezer Meals and Ideas For Helping People In Need

Good Morning and Welcome to the blog.  Today before I share 
this weeks menu idea . . . 
. . . because I am not really sure what I'll pull off this week. 

I've mentioned a few times recently that we've been going to a food pantry.  

I am not sure your experience or your thoughts about pantries and people that go to them.  

I have been on both sides.  I have served many, many hours at our local food pantry.  I would like to share that experience with you. 

Right now with everything that is going on many more people are needing help.  

Maybe you need some help

Please ask you can call 211 and they will direct you to pantries in your area.  .  

Or maybe you could help someone else by making a donation.   I was reading a post just this morning about cleaning out your food pantry to re-organize.  Maybe you've been doing a bit of clean up and organizing.   Did you think to donate unwanted food?  

As I think about all the times my Cowboy and I worked at the food pantry I could write days and days of experiences.  I could write post after post filled with photo's.  

Here are a few . . .

 For a few years the Cowboy and I worked at a boys prison.  

These photo's are bitter sweet for me.  The Cowboy is healthy. 

The young man in this photo is grown.  He is married and has children.  Working at the food pantry changed lives.  

When someone receives food it changes lives. 

I know.

This is what food distribution looked like back in the day.  My hair wasn't gray.    God placed it on my heart to do something for the neighborhood I grew up in.  

The church that I grew up in had a gym.  It was the perfect location for an event to benefit the neighborhood.  

Boxes and boxes of food were given to the families that came. This is only a few of the volunteers there were over 100 through the day.  

We could not do this today. 

We could not gather and share the Gospel 

and 

Provide food at the same time.  

This is what it looks like today

This is real.  This is what it is like when I go to a local church 

to get food.  I am in a small town in the middle of DFW.  There

are usually only 12 or so cars in front of me when I pull in.  

Before I leave there are that many or more in line behind me. 

It is not easy getting in line and asking for food

But I do.

And so I 'get it'

I have been on both sides.  And so I wanted to share with you 

that this is 'real'.  There are people who need our help.

You can help.

Back in the day I would have urged you to join us on a Friday

to pack boxes at the Food Bank.  

Things have changed.  It's not as easy to find a place to volunteer. But it is worthy trying.  There are lots of pantries through out the city.  

The first week after school closed when I went to the church there were a dozen teenagers hauling boxes and loading cars.  It was a Blessing for me to see this kids serving God.  It brought back some wonderful memories for me.  

Maybe your like me and taking this 'down time' to clean and organize the house.  And just maybe your pantry needs cleaning out.   Or maybe you have a few extra bucks and you can buy 

a few extra things to share. 

It is easy to find a pantry to donate to. 

You can call 211 and tell them you are looking for somewhere to donate food.  

It's simple and means so much 

And wow.  This was a very long post.

Are you still interested in my plans for the Rustic Dinner plate?

In the freezer we still have . . . 

Pork Loin

We found Chuck Roast on sale a couple weeks.  We still have one in the freezer

Ground Beef

Chicken Breasts

We have some Fish Sticks that we can have for lunch one day

On the pantry shelf we have . . . 

Dried Beans I am thinking Pinto's again since they were so good last week.  I only cooked part of a small bag in case the were a bust again.

Tuna Fish

Boxes of Mac/Cheese

Box of Scalloped Potato's

Rice

And so now I need to get creative and figure out how to put meals together with all that.  

Here are my plans . . . 

Monday Oven Baked Chicken Breasts 
I have a box of Lipton Onion Soup mix I think it will make a good casserole to serve over Rice and with Green Beans

Tuesday Pinto Beans, Corn Bread 
I'll be going to the pantry and I usually get some fresh veggies so I'll add something green and maybe Fried Potatoes.  I still have some Russets

Wednesday from the Ground Beef.  Hmm.  I am just not coming up with anything.  This is where I get stuck.  I bet you can guess 
what I am thinking . . . 

Taco's 

Spaghetti

Meat Loaf

Yep.  Same 'ole.  Same 'ole.  Although the Meat Loaf doesn't get on the menu regularly.  The Cowboy requested to have it 4 times a year.  LOL.  I think I have 2 more chances left.  

Thursday Mexican Style Pot Roast Spanish Rice, served  with leftover Beans.  I'll probably go ahead and cook Potato's and Carrots with it so I'll have a freezer meal.

Friday  I have some frozen Ravioli  so maybe I could cook it with the Ground Beef.  

I am not sure how or Breakfasts and Lunch will go this week. 

The Cowboy has been getting up by 7 and eating fruit so he hasn't really been hungry till almost 11.  So I'll be playing it by ear.  

We will all be surprised. 

Come back for Foodie Friday to find out what is

On The Rustic Dinner Plate

Thanks for stopping in. 

I hope you have a Blessed and Yummy week.

Thanks for visiting my Feature Post!

I am linking with my regular parties some of the buttons may be on the bottom of the page

Still having a few computer issues. 

The party is over here




Over here at Penny's Passion 

Simple Sunday

Happy Homemaker In Texas

Hello Welcome to Happy Homemaker In Texas

I was inspired by Sandra at Family Corner

to do this weekly party

Sandra provides the prompts,  I add a few of my own just because something pops in my mind and I want to share it with you.

The Weather

Is just stinking hot.  But I am Praising God it is not hotter because it really could be.  We might get a bit of rain toward the end of the week.

On the breakfast plate

When you have no Eggs but cheap Biscuits are in the fridge . . .

Served Biscuits 3 ways pretend Sausage Gravy made from leftover Taco Meat . . .yup and it was quite good. 
Ham and Cheese and plain 'ole Butter.  The Cowboy added a 4th with Honey.

Going a bit out of order because I can't wait to tell you!

My 'Ta Da' moment

I made edible Pinto Beans.  They turned out good.  Since my crock pot broke I have not made a decent pot of Beans.  We have been so  hungry for Pinto's.  One week I

even asked my S.I.L. to make us a pot.  Actually I asked our daughter.  She delegated.

On my reading pile

I am reading now

On the menu this week
A week or two of from the freezer.  It is full which is good because we are running short this month.  It is a challenge getting used to living on a limited income. 
The Cowboys diet restrictions and needs require lots of fresh fruits and veggies and canned veggies too.  I'll be going to a pantry for fruits and veggies to add to our freezer meals.

Monday Pork Loin, Mac/Cheese
Tuesday Chicken Tenders, Mashed Potato's
Wednesday another pot of Beans, Corn Bread
Thursday Pulled Pork Sandwich's, Onion Rings
Friday Spaghetti 

In the craft room
Trying to finish up some Prayer Pocket inserts.  I always 
have a hard time stopping.  I just keep adding and adding things.
I started the Sun Flower table cloth I have been plaining 
on making for the Tea party . . . 

I saw a table runner made from Tea cups so I decided to make one.  I haven't done this kind of sewing in a long time.

In the garden
Beautiful Sun Flowers

Okra is peeking out from under the Cucumbers

The Cucumbers have been providing.  The finally started growing up.   The dogs are guarding the garden from Lizards.

I started one of the Fall beds compost hand tilled in
I have a few more beds to prep.
Starting some seeds in the green house

A question for you
I am trying to find a new free and easy to use photo editor.
I need one to add text to photo's.

Which one do you use?

From the camera

My sweet Domino.  Today I am thankful and praising God she is well.  This time last week I was crying because she was so sick.  She had a horrible reaction to a dog food I tried to introduce into thier diet.  Praise God she is happy and well.

Thank you for joining me today.

I am joining all my regular parties.

Links are on previous posts.

I will add my list and links when the computer cooperates

Foodie Friday-Cooking & Baking This Week

Good Morning! 

I loved this image.  I have been thinking researching

Tea Parties as I am planning my Sunflower Tea Party for August. 

This week I baked Strawberry Bread.  We had 

Strawberries and I wanted to test this recipe . . . 

It turned into an odd week for that 'ole Rustic Dinner Plate. 

I am not sure if I managed to cook anything that I planned.

I did get Taco's done but that was last night . . . 

I barely got a pic I was so tired and the entire meal didn't go as planned.  I was going to make my own shells but I didn't have enough oil to fry them in.  I had a few store bought that I crisped in the oven for the Cowboy. He loved them. 

On my plate I had one limp and greasy shell and 2 soft Flour Tortilla's I loved them.  

The Cowboy does not like Flour Tortilla Taco's  Go figure . . . I tell you he is wierd!

Thursday morning I was going to make a Ham and Cheese Quiche. 

It turned into this . . . 

It was yummy and The Cowboy even ate it because he knew how frustrated I  was with the whole thing.  He will not 'touch' a Breakfast Casserole.

Why was I frustrated you ask?

My dawng Pie Shells were not edible.  I won't go any 

further TMI . . . let me just say that they are not supposed to be that color!

And, I had just bought the silly things!

We had our meal of yummy Pinto Beans, Greens, Hash Browns and Corn Bread.  Yea my Pinto Beans cooked and got done.  

They were soupier than I prefer but we ate all of them 

except one small bowl full which the Cowboy ate with his Taco's on Thursday night.  

Do you make good Pinto Beans?

I need tips please!

Leave me a comment!

We had a store bought Pizza I got from a food pantry.  It 

was quite good not as Crispy as we prefer but still good.  

 

I made a Big 'ole Salad to go with it because the Cowboy isn't really supposed to eat Pizza but it was Flat Bread so I don't think it was bad for him but he has it in his head 'No Pizza'.  Hmm . . . What about all those Cookies he eats made with A.P. Flour?

And

It was Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil.  The Cowboy ate 2 slices.  I ate the rest.  M.T.B. is my fav!

On Bean cooking day.  I had a busy morning keeping those Beans boiling and boiling the water away.  

So I boiled a few more things . . .

Poached Eggs for the girls breakfast and I boiled Eggs for Tuna for lunch.  

The Tuna turned out to be less than we expected.  

It looked good.  Tuna on a Croissant.  

Very fancy.  But there were no Pickles.  My last batch of Pickles didn't turn out.  They were not sour at all.  I forgot to put in the Garlic.  So I don't know if that was the problem or not.   And I had to almost lick the Mayo out of the bottom of the jar.  Dawng if I had some Pickle juice I could have poured it in and swirled it around.  

It was an Odd, Frustrating but Yummy week.  

Tonight I am making Mexican Chicken and Rice.  Last night I cooked some Boneless Skinless Thighs that I had marinated so they are ready to stir into some Rice and Green Chili's.  

Yummy

How did your meal plans go?

Did you stic  to your Menu? 

Thanks for stopping in. 

Until next time
I  am linking to my regular parties . . . having some computer problems today.
I'll add links and buttons when the PC wakes up