The Other Bennet Sister - by Janice Hadlow

 Well, Dear Reader/s

I'm very excited to do my very first book review of 2026. 

Recently, I've had a magnetic push in nostalgia. But, the good kind? Like, a deep need to reconnect with the parts of me that always felt stifled, buried, ridiculed,and rejected. I'm not saying that for pity. We ALL have been in this space where what we like is immediately mocked, or shot down in the name of someone else's taste. You know what I mean , let's say a table of friends are discussing something as simple as ice cream flavors. And your closest best friend hears that you prefer strawberry over vanilla. Immediately , she starts to laugh, and say how idiotic strawberry ice cream is, how much she hates strawberry ice cream..... and it goes on. 

Now, some people would be able to shrug their shoulders, and move on with their life. It's not that big of a deal. It's just ice cream right? 

Then others, will take that reaction and hold it deep in their brain. They will have thoughts like "why is it such a big deal that I like strawberry?" , "am I idiotic?" .... Down the rabbit hole that person will go, until they genuinely feel deep shame for the simple fact that they like strawberry ice cream. 

I'll leave it a mystery as to which behavior pattern I am healing from. Ha! 

In some ways my little scenario is the perfect introduction to this book. 

I love a good book. It doesn't matter to me if it is audio, old fashioned paperback, hardback, special edition, or on a Kindle or my phone. Books are soothing, thrilling, and the right kind of book will deeply impact you. 

This was such a book. If you love Jane Austen, you will love this book. 

This book was about the journey of Mary Bennet, and the impact of the words spoken into her life. It sobered me, because in many ways this book chronicled what happens to a person when the words spoken over them are life or death. 

I'm not giving a spoiler alert when I say (to fans of Pride and Prejudice) that Mrs. Bennet is a silly and vain woman. The same would be equally said of Lydia, the youngest sister. 

So what happens when a silly and vain mother raises a quiet, studious, glasses wearing girl that is not as shockingly beautiful as her other sisters? Well, you will have to read that for yourself. 

I listened to this book for free on the Libby app. As soon as the book started, I took a screen shot because I knew I was going to love it.

I recommend listening to this book with a cup of herbal peach tea, and a slice of /////gluten Free Orange Carrot cake. 

In my diffuser , I put Young Living's Hope blend, chamomile,and bergamot.

The recipe for the cake is as follows;

GF Orange Carrot cake

1 3/4 cups of Bob's Red Mill gluten free flour blend

1 mashed banana

3 finely grated carrots

1 1/2 teaspoon of baking orange oil (I get mine at World Market)

Vanilla (measure with your heart)

Cinnamon (measure with your heart)

3/4 cup of organic coconut sugar

1 teaspoon of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

3/4 stick of melted butter

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

2 organic eggs

Combine your wet ingredients first in a glass mixing bowl, and then add all of your dry ingredients .

Heavily butter a glass baking dish. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes depending on your oven. Cake is done when a fork inserted comes out clean. I like to drizzle a little butter on top when it's fresh from the oven. 

This snack feels warm, slightly sweet and spicy, pairs well with a cup of herbal peach tea, and a good literary  visit to Longbourne. Your house will smell like the orange groves, and the carrots in this cake only add to the natural sweetness.

For those of us desiring cleaner, whole foods, that do not cause our autoimmune issues to flare, this cake is exactly what you need mid January to lift your spirits and satisfy your sweet tooth without harming your body. 

Be Blessed, Laurie

Sabbath Happenings

 

 Every Friday night we do our best to slow it down. 

Between ranching, ministry,foster care,homeschooling,and fighting 3 autoimmune diseases there is a tendency to hold a lot of tension, and hurry. The past week was particularly busy and I found myself actually forgetting at least 5 different things that were important.

So when Friday approached, I was ready. 

Our respite care baby had been safely returned to the foster parents,fresh from a getaway for the two of them. It was a blessing to be able to facilitate a safe place for their foster while they were away reconnecting. 

After looking at the clock it felt like a countdown to blast off before Shabbat dinner.

I quickly went to my hair stylist for a fresh cut. Fighting against neurogenic burning on my scalp means that there is a lot of relief from pain when my very thick hair is cut short. I love my stylist who is a new believer in Christ. We have a good time together chatting, and she always tells me she is praying for me. We decided to do a hidden undercut short bob so that the pain on my neck would be relieved. It felt glorious! The pain on my scalp is much more manageable now. 

I did the grocery shopping, and got everything I would need to make our family Sabbath dinner.  My favorite thing is to put a fresh vase of flowers on the Sabbath.

Our menu was BBQ chicken/ steaks cooked in the cast iron, southwestern cornbread,baked potatoes, and a special AIP (autoimmune protocol) coleslaw. 

A very western style Sabbath dinner indeed, but it works for us! My father loved the cornbread so much, and typically he does not like the classics to be "messed with". But, I got loads of compliments from his side of the table. 

For the cornbread it is very simple. If I am eating it, then I will use Bob's Red Mill gluten free mix, but if others are eating I will use Jiffy. Make your batter according to directions. Now add one small can of green chili, and two handfuls of shredded cheddar cheese. Bake according to directions and you have Southwestern Cornbread! 

The coleslaw was an invention of my own after scouring the internet for AIP friendly recipes. I used ;

1/2 a shredded and finely chopped green cabbage

1/2 an english cucumber, peeled and finely chopped

1 handful of cilantro chopped

2 cups of shredded carrots finely chopped

3-4 tablespoons of organic olive oil

2 cloves of finely diced raw garlic

1 tablespoon of ground ginger

Take the last three ingredients and put them in a mason jar with a pinch of mineral salt and pepper. Shake it. 

Toss all the veggies and dressing together, and enjoy!

We had a lovely family dinner. This is my favorite thing about living close to family and that is our peaceful Sabbath dinners. 

The next day, I went to a special women's ministry event at our church where we watched The Chronicles of Narnia . It's a personal favorite of mine. My mother and I enjoyed it so much. Then it was back home for rest and relaxation. 

We went to church the next day and served in our ministries, that morning I prepped the crockpot with a whole organic chicken, well seasoned with garlic and mesquite smoked salt. We often have people over after church for discipleship purposes. We typically spend Sunday afternoon ministering or/ and getting ready for the week ahead. I did a little bit of rearranging some things in our bedroom, and having fun with some new essential oil blends. 

I love cowgirl/Bohemian styles and decided to turn my mannequin into a display for my favorite accessories.

The oils I used for this blend were Blue Spruce,Lime,and Peppermint. It was so refreshing! I have used essential oils for at least 10 years, and am a big fan of their properties.

All in all , it was a restful weekend. I did manage to finish two audio books this previous week, so look out for a book review coming soon. 

Be blessed in your days ahead, and may the Lord keep you by His side, Laurie

Divinely Appointed Rest

 For most of the world it is the New Year now. For all practical purposes there is value in at least knowing what day it is . But, I confess I find myself torn between two worlds.

I live here in this world of politics, history, and decisions being made that I have zero control over. And, I live in a spiritual world with a deep burning loyalty to my Creator and His Word. 

And so for the physical, and practical side of life... it is 2026. I have a new Bible reading plan. I have classes to be a part of, and all around me there are goals being set. 

There is nothing wrong with that in my estimation. Indeed, I have already declared to myself a desire to read more books, consume less social media, and heal my body. These goals are not unlike the rest of the world. Especially , those here in America.

Spiritually, I'm making a determined effort to sit down and stay put in my Father's hand. 

Hashem knows the way that I take... and in this I find a great ease of my spirit. There is no rush. He leads me beside still waters. At the present, I am admittedly not at full capacity physically. Instead of agonizing over my lack of bursting energy and health, I'm choosing to wait patiently during this process of healing.

If I'm not careful, I can confuse this "sit down" of the heart to be viewed as inaction, or a laziness of some kind.

But no, there is beauty at rest. While the world around me is frozen and sleeping, I will let my soul sleep with it. My heart will safely trust that Adonai is doing the work that He needs to do. And I will let Him do it. 

This decision to so emotionally trust that God is at work , and I am allowed to be secure in His hand doesn't come easily. 

For surely the pressure to be, and to achieve, to gain, and to accumulate has often so overwhelmed me that I feel ineffective and pathetic as a human if I am not perceived as charging the gates of hell tirelessly.

I cannot be the only woman to feel this way. Let alone the only woman of Judeo/Christian faith that has struggled with a Martha like spirit. 

I have recently been casually studying the concept of Edenic Womanhood. To my deduction, it is an embracing of the life cycle, spirit, and intention of the way God intended for women to thrive. 

I believe He gave us seasons, tied to the seasons He gave the earth, and in that vein of truth, I allow my spirit to be in winter. Buried under snow, hibernating , chilled, and retreated to emerge in the spring. The accounts of Creation in Genesis are for not only scientific knowledge, historical, theological, and to improve us; but I believe inside of the creation of Adam and Eve are beautiful secrets hidden in plain sight that give us keys to how He intended our bodies to function and our spirits to thrive. 

Winter is for hibernation. A good winter that has ample snow, and rain, and cold temperatures, makes the way for an abundant spring and a profitable summer leading itself to a bursting harvest. Hashem intentionally created our bodies to need these seasons for our own spiritual,physical, and emotional well being.

This intentional rest is not devoid of purpose. It is the purpose. It is not an emotional "checking out" it is an emotional "checking in"... When my soul feels buried, frozen, and lifeless.. I can rest in the truth that according to the divine intentions of Adonai, I am right where I should be. 

Do you feel paralyzed? Can you just not bring yourself to muster up an idea ? Are you tired? Does socializing feel draining? 

Let me remind you dear sister, we are in winter. The Lord will do His work in us this season and it will be a good work. Even if it doesn't feel good. He is good, every time.