Easy GF French Toast in a Mug

  I recently found out that gluten was messing with my digestive system, and it was best if I ate gluten less often.  Since then, I have almost gone completely gluten free.  So, I have been coming up with creative ways that I can still eat the food that I enjoy most, sans gluten.  I have previously savored this recipe using whole grain bread, and I found that it works with gluten free white bread too.

What you need:

• A mug (I use a giant mug)
• 1 Tablespoon of butter
• 2 Slices of bread (GF or whatever you prefer)
• A separate bowl
• 1 Egg
• 3 Tablespoons of milk
• A dash of cinnamon
• ½ Teaspoon of sugar
• A few drops of vanilla
• Syrup (if you wish)

 {One of my favorite mugs.}

Directions

1. Melt the butter in the mug by putting it in the microwave for about 20 seconds.
2. Cube (or rip) the bread into bite-sized pieces and place in the mug. {The egg mixture.}
3. In a separate bowl, mix the egg, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla with a fork.
4. Pour over the bread, and let it sit for a minute so the bread can soak up the mixture.
5. Put it in the microwave for approximately two minutes.
6. Let cool.  Add syrup if desired.  Enjoy!

Note: I used 3 slices of gluten free bread since the slices were very small.  Remember: you may also use regular bread for this recipe as well.

Finished product!

I originally found this recipe here:

http://www.prettyprudent.com/2012/01/entertaining-food/2-minute-french-toast-in-a-cup/

5 Books That Would Make Great Movies

 

   Have you ever read a book and wished that it could be made into a movie or TV series?  I'm talking an in-depth, not leaving anything out adaption.  Of course, that rarely happens.  But I can dream, can't I?  Granted, there are a TON of books that I wish would be made into movies, but I narrowed the list down to my top five choices.

5. The Juliet Club by Suzanne Harper
This is an amazing story about Kate, a teenager who gets the chance to spend the summer studying Shakespeare in Verona, Italy. There are amazing costumes, a giant maze, and a dash of romance. It reminds me of Letters to Juliet, but it spends more time talking about Shakespeare and a few of his plays. I would love if this was made into a movie because I want to see all of the costumes and settings that the book describes. Plus, it would be a clean, romantic teen movie, which I don't think there are currently enough of.

4. Cape Refuge by Terri Blackstock
This is the first book of a four book Christian fiction series that is set in the small island town of Cape Refuge. The story follows the Owens family as their small town is shocked by multiple murders throughout the series. I love that we get to see the perspectives of the Owens sisters in this series as they go through various big life changes. I also love books that feature murder in a small town because the narrator normally is friends with the killer. I think this book would have great potential as a movie series!

3. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
Three words can perfectly sum up this six book series. Girls'. Spy. School. Another teen romance book made my list, but this one includes lots of action, secrets, and intrigue. This series is well written, and I think it would easily translate into film. It's reminiscent of Alex Rider, except all of Cammie's friends know she's a spy, because they attend spy school as well. The only teen spy movies I've seen have been about boys. I think this would do well as a movie because it's got a female teen spy who's mother is the principal of said girls' spy school. As far as I can tell, Disney owns the movie rights for the book, and there was talk a few years ago about two producers who were interested in the series. This one might happen!

2. Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones
Yes. I know. Another book by Jenny B. Jones is on my blog. To be honest, she is my favorite author! I would love for this book to be made into a movie because I love stories where the couple is just pretending to be a couple until they realize that they actually DO have romantic feelings for each other. Lucy runs a home for girls who have graduated out of the foster care system. Alex is an ex-football player who wants to run for office. Both are extremely sarcastic and can't really stand each other in the beginning. That's a pretty good basis for a successful rom-com!

1. The Homelanders Series by Andrew Klavan
Charlie goes to bed one night a normal teenager and wakes up tied to a chair in a completely empty room. And he just heard someone outside the door give the order to kill him! That's one of the many reasons as to why I believe that this would be a great movie (because that is the actual beginning of this series). Also, later in the book, Charlie comes to find out that he's a few years older than he remembers, and he doesn't regain his memories until the fourth book. He's like a teenage Bourne, just with a lot less killing. [Trust me, there are still plenty of scenes that include running from the cops, explosions, and kidnappings.] At one point, there were people working to make this into a movie, but for one reason or another it didn't happen. I still have hope though!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of these books. The books pictured above are all owned by me (Except for Cape Refuge, which was my mom's. My version contains the first two books of the series.). I hope you enjoyed reading this list! Are there any books that you wish would be translated unto film? Comment below!

What I've Been Doing Since Graduation

   Just like my description says, I graduated in May from community college.  What you may not know is that I graduated with three degrees, one certificate, and honors.  I may have only attended for five semesters, but I learned a few things during that time about myself and the world in general.  In case you are curious as to what I've been up to since then, here's a short recap.

My tassel

   Since then, I have worked at (and quit) two different jobs.  One job I left because it was too hectic to work both jobs at once.  The other I left because I was having health issues and calling in sick a lot.  It took awhile to find out what was wrong with me.  Right now, we believe that my health problems are the results of being stressed out too much and gluten.  The stress was causing headaches that felt like someone had placed a vice around my head and was squeezing very hard.  Gluten seems to be something that my body can not process large amounts of.  I currently eat [mostly] gluten free.  The occasional deviance doesn't seem to hurt me too much.  I should know more after I see a specialist in October. 
 
   There has been about a month and a half between quitting my last job and now.  In that time, I have; filled out numerous job applications, been a bridesmaid in my cousin's wedding, finished one series on Netflix and started another, come up with a strategy for my blog, and completely revamped a story that I have been working on for the last few years [I decided to change it from YA to NA].

Summer writing space

   I am currently going through the process of filling out paperwork before starting a new job.  I plan on working through next summer, then going back to college to pursue a major in psychology with a possible a minor in English.  I would eventually like to become a counselor who works with children, but that's just an idea.
 
   Something else I am currently working on is entering a short story writing contest.  I haven't really written a short story before, but I'm going to give it my best shot.  I have until November, which means I'll be cutting it close.  This will be the third writing contest that I have entered.

Another favorite writing space

   That's a short recap of what I have been doing lately.  I'm going to try to write on here more, but no promises!  I'm honestly more active on other social media sites.
Here's my Twitter: https://twitter.com/lyssiemichelle
My Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/amichelle94/
And my Tumblr: http://love-bookswillbetheendofme.tumblr.com/ 
I hope you'll visit again.  :D

Made to Last

This is the third time I've read Made to Last, and I thought I would share my thoughts on this cute tale!

  

Synopsis

Miranda Woodruff, star of the homebuilding show "From the Ground Up," will do anything to keep the job she loves. Due to a painful broken engagement and a faith she's mostly forgotten, she's let her entire identity become wrapped up in the Miranda everyone sees onscreen. So when she receives news that the network might cancel her program, she must do the very thing she fears most: let the spotlight shine on her closely guarded personal life. The only problem? She's been living a lie--letting viewers believe she's married--and now she's called upon to play wife to a sweet, if a bit goofy, pretend husband to boost ratings. 

Desperate to help his family and prove he's not a total failure, reporter Matthew Knox is looking for a breakout story. When he's offered the opportunity to do an online serial feature on Miranda Woodruff, he jumps at the chance, even if celebrity reporting isn't really his thing. But as soon as he meets Miranda, he knows she's keeping secrets. 

When Miranda's former fiance suddenly appears on the scene again, she doubts her life could get more complicated. Juggling three guys, an on-the-rocks television show, and the potential exposure of her deception is way more than she bargained for. Can the woman who makes things look so good onscreen admit it's time to tell the truth about who she is? And if she does, will the life Miranda's built come crashing down just as she's finally found a love to last?

My Favorite quote
"Intoxicating, almost giddy energy took over as they slashed and spewed paint at each other.  The paint fumes and Miranda's  nearness conspired to bully his common sense into nothing.  Another river of red paint hit his chest, and he dropped his weapons, circling an arm around Miranda to pry the spray gun from her hands.  She twisted, bumping an elbow against his stomach, her hair sticking to the paint on his face.
'Brad is going to kill me!' Miranda said through a fit of hysterics.  But she'd stopped trying to get away from him, instead standing in place inside his hold, giving in to her laughter, her arms turning to noodles as she lowered the paint gun."  {pages 120-121}  This is one of my favorite funny scenes from the book.  I mean, what else are you supposed to do when someone starts throwing paint at you?! ;)

My Review
   I absolutely love Melissa Tagg's debut novel Made to  Last.  I am fond of the way that her characters express themselves.  While they have flaws, Miranda, Blaze, and Matthew are endearing.  Miranda's the spunky, independent tomboy who's heart was majorly damaged.  Blaze is a humorous, adventurous guy who doesn't let us in on much of his past.  Matthew is trying to decide between helping pay for a surgery that could help his niece hear again or keeping the secrets he's learned about Miranda.  Even the minor characters are interesting, especially Matthew's brother's family.  
   I really like the fact that we got an inside scoop on both Miranda's and Matthew's struggles.  This book was written through both of their points of views, and it was done flawlessly.  I also liked that we got to see the revival of both of their faiths.
   Overall, this book played out like a well-written romantic comedy with a Christian flair.  If you're a fan of contemporary stories with funny, independent handywomen who fall in love with nosy reporters, then this is a book for you!