Makin' Memories

To contact us Click HERE

Today I was able to spend some time with a good friend. We didn't do anything overly exciting. Just hung  out at the house with our boys. But I loved it and it was just what I needed. 
I love getting our boys together and watching them make memories with each other. They played, built blocks, jumped on the trampoline, ate, played in the rain, watched Cars and played with the dogs. 
Sherri and I talked, ate lunch, folded clothes and talked some more. It's was pretty great to catch up. I'm so thankful for a friend who gets me and is there to go through these "mothering little boy years" along side me.

It may not look like it from this picture but Sam had a good time too... I promise!

 Elijah was ready to take this little guy home with us. He always enjoys having a baby around to hold.
Wasn't long into the ride home that Ethan fell asleep. He was plain worn out.

Sherri, thanks for everything. 

Andrew's Latest Update - ProjectGofer continues . . .

To contact us Click HERE

Below is the latest from my brother who is currently serving with Operation Mobilization. You can click here to read the previous post that explains what exactly he is doing this year.

"Hello Dear Friends and Partners in the Gospel! Greetings in the Name of Jesus, the Name above all names! 

I have much to share with you, and need your prayers as I continue in the battle. The last time I wrote you, I was about to leave for OM’s GO Conference in Holland. Let me start there . . .  
The GO Conference was a special time of learning and growing with over 400 new recruits, OM missionaries, staff and volunteers. I wanted to take some footage to show you, but due to security reasons (some of the new recruits were going into closed countries) I was not able to. So just imagine with me the unique diversity of this ten day training, there were over 60 different languages represented at the Conference. I met people from countries that once only received missionaries, now because of the power of the gospel, those same countries are sending missionaries! Praise the Lord! One of my highlights was the day of prayer where we prayed over all the nations on a huge map of the world. After the conference I had a layover in Amsterdam so I decided to take to the streets. See my video below, taken in the middle of the Red Light District. Please pray for the Netherlands and Amsterdam in particular. There is much need, but Christ is sufficient and the Gospel is powerful! 



After I got back I officially started as George Verwer’s Gofer! The very next day (Sunday) we had two meetings in the south of England. The next weekend we were in Scotland for several meetings. We spent a day in prayer in which we traveled by train though the Highlands of Scotland. I was able to do some hiking and God gave me a divine conversation with a lady who was walking on the same path. George preached in both Edinburgh and Glasgow during our time in Scotland. God is working in this country in spite of the secularism that prevails. 
See my video below for how you can pray for the church in Scotland. Also, watch as I interview Philip and Sharon Rose who work with OM in Scotland. Please Pray!



The following weekend found us in Italy at the base of the Italian Alps. We were there for the 50 year celebration of OM’s work in Italy. George spoke multiple times while there as well as preaching in a local church. Many books went out in both English and Italian. I’m constantly burdened as I see so much need all around the world, even in countries that one would think are fine. Italy is a country of great spiritual need, it has less than 2% of the gospel witness that the United States has. Watch the video below as Robert Vitter and I hike in the Italian Alps! Robert and his wife Laura work with OM in Italy. Please, pray for Italy and the Vitter’s ministry there. You won't’ want to miss watching this latest episode of ProjectGofer! It even has music!



A day and a half after getting back from Italy, George and I were on the road again . . . this time to America, have you heard of it? Me either. George was one of the keynote speakers at the Call2All Congress held in Kansas City. Call2All is an organization seeking to network different mission agencies together for the purpose of finishing the Great Commission in this generation. The International House of Prayer (IHOP) was the host. Our time at Call2All was very good and I was able to pray over an even bigger map! In fact at this conference they had two huge maps. The largest map was just the 10/40 window of the world and it took up a whole gymnazium! It was powerful because, the map had dots representing every unreached people group in the 10/40 window. Let me tell you . . . there were lots of dots. What gets me is that so many believers don’t seem to understand the true extent of the need around the world. In Kansas City alone there is more gospel witness and outreach than in some whole NATIONS! This should not be! The last words of Jesus, our Commander and King, were to “go into all the world . . . and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mat. 28:19-20). David Livingstone once said, "If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?" 

In my email back in August, I asked us to consider becoming more zealous in our devotion to Christ and in reaching the world for Jesus. So now, two months later, how are we doing? What are we doing to reach the lost millions of the world? Will you join me on this journey as we seek to learn how to live in such a way that our lives impact a lost world for Christ? I’m on this journey now and learning what those words mean, there’s no turning back, nor would I want to. I wouldn’t trade any passing pleasure this world offers for the joy of serving Christ. Christ is worth it all! 

Let me bring this to a close, it's far too long already. After returning from America we had a weekend of ministry in Northern Ireland, which was very fruitful. We have now been back here in London for the past week and a half (the longest I have been in one place since I left to come here:) Tomorrow we leave for a three week tour of the States and Canada. While there we will be in NY City, New York State, Idaho, Texas and Toronto Canada. 

Please pray for this trip, that our time at these churches and conferences would be fruitful. Pray for George as he speaks and for physical strength for his wife, Drena, as she will be accompanying him on this trip. Pray for me, that I would keep Christ first in everything, that I would be disciplined and diligent in my personal walk with the Lord, in Bible Study, prayer, and evangelism. Pray that I would have a heart of humility and serve George well.

Thanks for your continued prayers for me. Remember, “Live everyday like it’s your last, one day you’ll be right.” I love you all. 

For Christ and the Nations,
Andrew Day (the gofer)


P.S It was exactly one year ago, last night, that I first heard George Verwer speak at the Moody Missions Conference. It was one year ago, tonight, that he excepted my invitation and spoke on my floor (go Culby 16!). The rest is, as they say, history! I want to give a shout out to my Moody friends who are in the midst, of my favorite week of the year, Missions Conference! I would especially love to hear from you all. Let me know how God is working in your life this week. Know that I've been thinking and praying for you all. It's a powerful time, God radically shaped my life through Missions Conference. So wish I could be there right now!"


Hey there, it's Melissa again.

Here's something to think about. America spent $6.9 BILLION dollars on Halloween last year alone and it's expected to spend rise to $8 billion this year. 

The average family will spend $40 on Halloween. 

Which really isn't that much in the grand scheme of things. But if goes to show that if we all gave a little we could make a huge difference in taking the financial load off many missionaries backs. 

Because they don't get a salary from the mission agency, missionaries have to raise their own support from friends, family and churches back home who believe in them, believe in what they are doing, and are willing to stand behind them with their finances. 

I know it can be a scarifies. It's hard to let go of our hard earned money. But really, it's not our money. God has given us that money so that we could bring Him honor and glory in how we use it. 

What if we give even just half of what we will spend on Halloween to some one in need.

There are many needs and many ways to give. If you need more ideas or recommendations just ask and I can give you a list, from sponsoring a child, a local crisis pregnancy center, your church, or even buying some Thanksgiving groceries for a family you know.  

If you would like to send Andrew a gift:
Go to the OM site here and click Give Online
Choose the option "OM Missionary-Give to support OM's ministry through a person"
Fill in the information and follow the instructions. 


If you want to let him know you are praying for him or ask him a question you can email him at awd.day (at) gmail (dot) com.



Thanks for listening!

What You Don't Know About Writing a Cookbook

To contact us Click HERE

Life as a recipe writer/tester is good when things work out.

So I'm officially in the thick of it, brainstorming, writing, shopping for ingredients, testing, tasting, re-writing, shopping for ingredients, re-testing, tasting, cleaning, bleaching and cleaning some more.
Such is the glamorous life of writing a cookbook. Don't get me wrong, I am utterly thrilled to death to have this opportunity, and every day I've got my eyes on the prize for when that first box of copies arrives on my doorstep, but the fact is, the means to the end involves some seriously hard work.

For starters, I haven't had a day off in at least 3 weeks (maybe more, but who is counting), and it looks like there ain't one coming anytime soon. I've got a fast deadline looming that often gives me panic attacks, most of the time at the oh-so convenient hour of 3am, which in turn, makes me a ball of fun when I have to get up at 7am. to start food prep.

Since I'm writing a slow cooker cookbook (emphasis on sloooowwww), the majority of the recipes I'm testing require 8+ hours of cooking time with some recipes topping out at 10-12 hours, which means there are some days where my work day starts at 8am and finishes at 11pm+. In effect, I've become a slave to my hot-ass kitchen, I've one nasty case of cabin fever, and I'm starting to get really cranky.

Now that I've aired that laundry list of whiny complaints, let me give you something practical to chew on, a little window into the financial world of what it's like to write a cookbook.

Recipe testing is an arduous and often expensive process: While some cookbook authors have an army of recipe writers, testers, kitchen assistants, personal shoppers, even ghostwriters to pen their books, the rest of us are left with a cutting board, a knife, pens and paper, and a long day ahead, and I personally wouldn't have it any other way. I'm far to anal to put my work in the hands of someone else, and frankly, sometimes it's easier to fly solo. While I do have several fine volunteer recipe testers lined up to help me (mostly friends and family), this will only happen after I have tested them at least twice and butchered them all to hell (please reference the above photo). This process not only includes conceptualizing, writing, testing, and re-testing, but sometimes even total failure with a complete do-over.
It also involves assembling grocery lists, shopping, shopping some more, and then shopping some more. I know my grocery store produce guys, my butchers and my check-out gals, and I figure they're wondering why I'm there all the time.

What many people may not realize is that all of these trips to the grocery store I pay for myself and they can get seriously expensive after weekly visits for months on end. But you got a big advance, so what's the problem, you ask? I did get an advance, but it wasn't "big" or anywhere on par with a Rachael Ray six-plus figure deal. It was average, and on par with what other cookbook authors who aren't celebs tend to make, and while I am thankful for the cushion, I will also need every penny of it. 
For starters, I paid a literary lawyer to help me negotiate the contract (I don't have an agent which can be another 15% deducted out of both your advance and your royalties). I am also paying for the book's photography (a biggie, but worth it because I know it will be stellar). I'm even paying for the indexing of the recipes (which takes a professional's eye so that was a necessity).

None of these extra costs are news to seasoned cookbook authors. This is how it's done now, and when one signs on to write a book, it's expected, but throw in food costs for testing some hundreds of recipes, paying the I.R.S., kitchen equipment costs, even basic necessities that get used up on a regular basis like trash bags, kitchen cleaning materials, kitchen tools etc...when the smoke clears, often an author ain't left with much. Toss in the fact that when she is on a super tight deadline, she won't have any time to take on any other jobs, so this cashola up front has got to last. To get a good idea of what I'm talking about, check out this article by veteran cookbook author David Lebovitz (specifically reference section 6 to see what I mean).

At the same time, writing a cookbook can be a beautiful thing. I've got dinners in the freezer to last the rest of the year, and my husband, parents and neighbors eat like kings. They get overly caloric, bacon-laden goodies like this on a regular basis:
They even get leftovers that can be made into yummy sandwiches.So all is certainly not lost, not even close. I am loving every second of sweating in the kitchen and plopping my butt in front of the computer to conceive something new and exciting. In fact, I haven't felt this happy in a long time, and in the end that's what it's all about. I'm doing what I love, living the dream. I won't be getting rich and I'm okay with that. This is not why I'm here, and I figure thousands of hard working chefs, food writers, bloggers and various creatives know exactly what I'm talking about.
In the meantime, I shall keep on keeping on and you should too. If you dream of writing a cookbook one day, don't let this information discourage you, but do know it's not all hearts and flowers. If you're okay with that and still want in, write a book proposal, get an agent, or self-publish your own book. Whatever you do, just do it. Your personal satisfaction will be priceless.

©2012 Fatback and Foie Gras. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.




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Pickled Ginger & Asian Pear Coleslaw – "Holiday Slaw" 2012 Edition

To contact us Click HERE
I’m not sure when this relatively new tradition started, but for whatever reason, I like to come up with a new and interesting coleslaw to serve at Thanksgiving. With all the rich, heavy foods that the holiday table brings, I really enjoy the contrast these cold, crisp, bracing salads provide.

I’ve been doing this for five or so years now, and this maybe my favorite version. Just adding the always interesting Asian pear to a standardcoleslaw would’ve been a nice enough touch, but what made this so special wasthe subtle heat from the pickled ginger.
I can just imagine how great that piquant punch is going towork with roasted turkey, and while I still have weeks to wait for officialverification, I’m pretty confident. I’m also confident you’ll be able to findsome pickled ginger, especially if you have any sushi bars near you.
By the way, this is not one of those “make the day before”coleslaws. You want everything fresh and crisp, and if you leave it overnight,not only will it get soggy, but it will be way over-marinated. You can make thedressing beforehand, as well as slice up the ginger and cabbage, but wait untilan hour before the dinner to cut the pear and toss everything together.
Anyway, if you’ve never considered a coleslaw for one ofyour holiday side dish selections, I hope this unusual, but very deliciousvariation inspires you to give it a try. Enjoy!

Ingredients for 6 servings:1/2 small green cabbage, thinly sliced1 large Asian pear, thinly sliced1/3 cup finely sliced pickled ginger1/4 cup sliced green onions1 tsp toasted sesame seeds For the dressing:1/2 cup mayonnaise1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar1/2 to 1 tsp yellow miso paste, or to tastehot sauce to taste (I used sriracha)*Best if tossed together no more than an hour or two beforeservice.

Makin' Memories

To contact us Click HERE

Today I was able to spend some time with a good friend. We didn't do anything overly exciting. Just hung  out at the house with our boys. But I loved it and it was just what I needed. 
I love getting our boys together and watching them make memories with each other. They played, built blocks, jumped on the trampoline, ate, played in the rain, watched Cars and played with the dogs. 
Sherri and I talked, ate lunch, folded clothes and talked some more. It's was pretty great to catch up. I'm so thankful for a friend who gets me and is there to go through these "mothering little boy years" along side me.

It may not look like it from this picture but Sam had a good time too... I promise!

 Elijah was ready to take this little guy home with us. He always enjoys having a baby around to hold.
Wasn't long into the ride home that Ethan fell asleep. He was plain worn out.

Sherri, thanks for everything. 

Andrew's Latest Update - ProjectGofer continues . . .

To contact us Click HERE

Below is the latest from my brother who is currently serving with Operation Mobilization. You can click here to read the previous post that explains what exactly he is doing this year.

"Hello Dear Friends and Partners in the Gospel! Greetings in the Name of Jesus, the Name above all names! 

I have much to share with you, and need your prayers as I continue in the battle. The last time I wrote you, I was about to leave for OM’s GO Conference in Holland. Let me start there . . .  
The GO Conference was a special time of learning and growing with over 400 new recruits, OM missionaries, staff and volunteers. I wanted to take some footage to show you, but due to security reasons (some of the new recruits were going into closed countries) I was not able to. So just imagine with me the unique diversity of this ten day training, there were over 60 different languages represented at the Conference. I met people from countries that once only received missionaries, now because of the power of the gospel, those same countries are sending missionaries! Praise the Lord! One of my highlights was the day of prayer where we prayed over all the nations on a huge map of the world. After the conference I had a layover in Amsterdam so I decided to take to the streets. See my video below, taken in the middle of the Red Light District. Please pray for the Netherlands and Amsterdam in particular. There is much need, but Christ is sufficient and the Gospel is powerful! 



After I got back I officially started as George Verwer’s Gofer! The very next day (Sunday) we had two meetings in the south of England. The next weekend we were in Scotland for several meetings. We spent a day in prayer in which we traveled by train though the Highlands of Scotland. I was able to do some hiking and God gave me a divine conversation with a lady who was walking on the same path. George preached in both Edinburgh and Glasgow during our time in Scotland. God is working in this country in spite of the secularism that prevails. 
See my video below for how you can pray for the church in Scotland. Also, watch as I interview Philip and Sharon Rose who work with OM in Scotland. Please Pray!



The following weekend found us in Italy at the base of the Italian Alps. We were there for the 50 year celebration of OM’s work in Italy. George spoke multiple times while there as well as preaching in a local church. Many books went out in both English and Italian. I’m constantly burdened as I see so much need all around the world, even in countries that one would think are fine. Italy is a country of great spiritual need, it has less than 2% of the gospel witness that the United States has. Watch the video below as Robert Vitter and I hike in the Italian Alps! Robert and his wife Laura work with OM in Italy. Please, pray for Italy and the Vitter’s ministry there. You won't’ want to miss watching this latest episode of ProjectGofer! It even has music!



A day and a half after getting back from Italy, George and I were on the road again . . . this time to America, have you heard of it? Me either. George was one of the keynote speakers at the Call2All Congress held in Kansas City. Call2All is an organization seeking to network different mission agencies together for the purpose of finishing the Great Commission in this generation. The International House of Prayer (IHOP) was the host. Our time at Call2All was very good and I was able to pray over an even bigger map! In fact at this conference they had two huge maps. The largest map was just the 10/40 window of the world and it took up a whole gymnazium! It was powerful because, the map had dots representing every unreached people group in the 10/40 window. Let me tell you . . . there were lots of dots. What gets me is that so many believers don’t seem to understand the true extent of the need around the world. In Kansas City alone there is more gospel witness and outreach than in some whole NATIONS! This should not be! The last words of Jesus, our Commander and King, were to “go into all the world . . . and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mat. 28:19-20). David Livingstone once said, "If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?" 

In my email back in August, I asked us to consider becoming more zealous in our devotion to Christ and in reaching the world for Jesus. So now, two months later, how are we doing? What are we doing to reach the lost millions of the world? Will you join me on this journey as we seek to learn how to live in such a way that our lives impact a lost world for Christ? I’m on this journey now and learning what those words mean, there’s no turning back, nor would I want to. I wouldn’t trade any passing pleasure this world offers for the joy of serving Christ. Christ is worth it all! 

Let me bring this to a close, it's far too long already. After returning from America we had a weekend of ministry in Northern Ireland, which was very fruitful. We have now been back here in London for the past week and a half (the longest I have been in one place since I left to come here:) Tomorrow we leave for a three week tour of the States and Canada. While there we will be in NY City, New York State, Idaho, Texas and Toronto Canada. 

Please pray for this trip, that our time at these churches and conferences would be fruitful. Pray for George as he speaks and for physical strength for his wife, Drena, as she will be accompanying him on this trip. Pray for me, that I would keep Christ first in everything, that I would be disciplined and diligent in my personal walk with the Lord, in Bible Study, prayer, and evangelism. Pray that I would have a heart of humility and serve George well.

Thanks for your continued prayers for me. Remember, “Live everyday like it’s your last, one day you’ll be right.” I love you all. 

For Christ and the Nations,
Andrew Day (the gofer)


P.S It was exactly one year ago, last night, that I first heard George Verwer speak at the Moody Missions Conference. It was one year ago, tonight, that he excepted my invitation and spoke on my floor (go Culby 16!). The rest is, as they say, history! I want to give a shout out to my Moody friends who are in the midst, of my favorite week of the year, Missions Conference! I would especially love to hear from you all. Let me know how God is working in your life this week. Know that I've been thinking and praying for you all. It's a powerful time, God radically shaped my life through Missions Conference. So wish I could be there right now!"


Hey there, it's Melissa again.

Here's something to think about. America spent $6.9 BILLION dollars on Halloween last year alone and it's expected to spend rise to $8 billion this year. 

The average family will spend $40 on Halloween. 

Which really isn't that much in the grand scheme of things. But if goes to show that if we all gave a little we could make a huge difference in taking the financial load off many missionaries backs. 

Because they don't get a salary from the mission agency, missionaries have to raise their own support from friends, family and churches back home who believe in them, believe in what they are doing, and are willing to stand behind them with their finances. 

I know it can be a scarifies. It's hard to let go of our hard earned money. But really, it's not our money. God has given us that money so that we could bring Him honor and glory in how we use it. 

What if we give even just half of what we will spend on Halloween to some one in need.

There are many needs and many ways to give. If you need more ideas or recommendations just ask and I can give you a list, from sponsoring a child, a local crisis pregnancy center, your church, or even buying some Thanksgiving groceries for a family you know.  

If you would like to send Andrew a gift:
Go to the OM site here and click Give Online
Choose the option "OM Missionary-Give to support OM's ministry through a person"
Fill in the information and follow the instructions. 


If you want to let him know you are praying for him or ask him a question you can email him at awd.day (at) gmail (dot) com.



Thanks for listening!

Four New Babies

To contact us Click HERE

Geoff came home on Wednesday with something carefully wrapped in one of his work shirts.
When he unwrapped the shirt we saw four tiny flying squirrel babies curled inside.
The crews last job of the day was to remove a dead tree and that is where they found these little guys. Geoff brought them home hoping we could help them.
They are about 2 1/2 inches long, not including their tail. From the reading we've done we are guessing them to be about 3 1/2 weeks old. Their eyes aren't open yet.
We found a couple great websites with a lot information on caring for these tiny animals.
I think they are amazing! Look at the skin flaps that will help them glide through the air when they grow up.
We were able to get in contact with a woman who has raised many orphaned squirrel babies and it was an encouragement to learn we were doing the right things and to just keep doing what we were doing. They are old enough that their chance of survival is pretty good. 
At this age they need to be fed a bit less than half a teaspoon every 4 hours.
The best choices of formula for baby squirrels are Esbilac or Goat's Milk Esbilac which is a puppy milk replacer. 
Here is a helpful video I found on how to feed baby squirrels.Thought i'd share in case someone else needs this info one day.

Another important thing at this age is to keep them warm. They recommend laying a box over a heating pad or placing a warm water bottle in with the babies.
They are so tiny and so cute! 

What You Don't Know About Writing a Cookbook

To contact us Click HERE

Life as a recipe writer/tester is good when things work out.

So I'm officially in the thick of it, brainstorming, writing, shopping for ingredients, testing, tasting, re-writing, shopping for ingredients, re-testing, tasting, cleaning, bleaching and cleaning some more.
Such is the glamorous life of writing a cookbook. Don't get me wrong, I am utterly thrilled to death to have this opportunity, and every day I've got my eyes on the prize for when that first box of copies arrives on my doorstep, but the fact is, the means to the end involves some seriously hard work.

For starters, I haven't had a day off in at least 3 weeks (maybe more, but who is counting), and it looks like there ain't one coming anytime soon. I've got a fast deadline looming that often gives me panic attacks, most of the time at the oh-so convenient hour of 3am, which in turn, makes me a ball of fun when I have to get up at 7am. to start food prep.

Since I'm writing a slow cooker cookbook (emphasis on sloooowwww), the majority of the recipes I'm testing require 8+ hours of cooking time with some recipes topping out at 10-12 hours, which means there are some days where my work day starts at 8am and finishes at 11pm+. In effect, I've become a slave to my hot-ass kitchen, I've one nasty case of cabin fever, and I'm starting to get really cranky.

Now that I've aired that laundry list of whiny complaints, let me give you something practical to chew on, a little window into the financial world of what it's like to write a cookbook.

Recipe testing is an arduous and often expensive process: While some cookbook authors have an army of recipe writers, testers, kitchen assistants, personal shoppers, even ghostwriters to pen their books, the rest of us are left with a cutting board, a knife, pens and paper, and a long day ahead, and I personally wouldn't have it any other way. I'm far to anal to put my work in the hands of someone else, and frankly, sometimes it's easier to fly solo. While I do have several fine volunteer recipe testers lined up to help me (mostly friends and family), this will only happen after I have tested them at least twice and butchered them all to hell (please reference the above photo). This process not only includes conceptualizing, writing, testing, and re-testing, but sometimes even total failure with a complete do-over.
It also involves assembling grocery lists, shopping, shopping some more, and then shopping some more. I know my grocery store produce guys, my butchers and my check-out gals, and I figure they're wondering why I'm there all the time.

What many people may not realize is that all of these trips to the grocery store I pay for myself and they can get seriously expensive after weekly visits for months on end. But you got a big advance, so what's the problem, you ask? I did get an advance, but it wasn't "big" or anywhere on par with a Rachael Ray six-plus figure deal. It was average, and on par with what other cookbook authors who aren't celebs tend to make, and while I am thankful for the cushion, I will also need every penny of it. 
For starters, I paid a literary lawyer to help me negotiate the contract (I don't have an agent which can be another 15% deducted out of both your advance and your royalties). I am also paying for the book's photography (a biggie, but worth it because I know it will be stellar). I'm even paying for the indexing of the recipes (which takes a professional's eye so that was a necessity).

None of these extra costs are news to seasoned cookbook authors. This is how it's done now, and when one signs on to write a book, it's expected, but throw in food costs for testing some hundreds of recipes, paying the I.R.S., kitchen equipment costs, even basic necessities that get used up on a regular basis like trash bags, kitchen cleaning materials, kitchen tools etc...when the smoke clears, often an author ain't left with much. Toss in the fact that when she is on a super tight deadline, she won't have any time to take on any other jobs, so this cashola up front has got to last. To get a good idea of what I'm talking about, check out this article by veteran cookbook author David Lebovitz (specifically reference section 6 to see what I mean).

At the same time, writing a cookbook can be a beautiful thing. I've got dinners in the freezer to last the rest of the year, and my husband, parents and neighbors eat like kings. They get overly caloric, bacon-laden goodies like this on a regular basis:
They even get leftovers that can be made into yummy sandwiches.So all is certainly not lost, not even close. I am loving every second of sweating in the kitchen and plopping my butt in front of the computer to conceive something new and exciting. In fact, I haven't felt this happy in a long time, and in the end that's what it's all about. I'm doing what I love, living the dream. I won't be getting rich and I'm okay with that. This is not why I'm here, and I figure thousands of hard working chefs, food writers, bloggers and various creatives know exactly what I'm talking about.
In the meantime, I shall keep on keeping on and you should too. If you dream of writing a cookbook one day, don't let this information discourage you, but do know it's not all hearts and flowers. If you're okay with that and still want in, write a book proposal, get an agent, or self-publish your own book. Whatever you do, just do it. Your personal satisfaction will be priceless.

©2012 Fatback and Foie Gras. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.




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Secret Agent Addie

To contact us Click HERE
Dear Reader- Time with Miss Add lately has been chock full of stories… so I thought I might write down two of them… Ya know while I am procrastinating packing for vacation (tomorrow) and awaiting Puddie’s buddy Jake to show up to get the keys to house-sit… Story 1: I walk by Miss Add busy in her kitchen (which is a story in and of itself– but another time) and all of a sudden she starts beeping… “Beep… Beep… Beep” Panicked she runs to the other room… For a second I thought she needed to potty… She comes back with a kitchen towel and starts waving it in the air feverishly… “That fire alarm keeps going off!” she hollers. I busted out laughing! Story #2 “I wonder if I could be a teacher one day…” “Oh Miss Add, you can be whatever you want to be…” “Well… I really want to be a  secret agent though… hmm” “Well you could always use your teaching job as your cover.” “That won’t work mom… I really want to wear that secret agent hat.”

Makin' Memories

To contact us Click HERE

Today I was able to spend some time with a good friend. We didn't do anything overly exciting. Just hung  out at the house with our boys. But I loved it and it was just what I needed. 
I love getting our boys together and watching them make memories with each other. They played, built blocks, jumped on the trampoline, ate, played in the rain, watched Cars and played with the dogs. 
Sherri and I talked, ate lunch, folded clothes and talked some more. It's was pretty great to catch up. I'm so thankful for a friend who gets me and is there to go through these "mothering little boy years" along side me.

It may not look like it from this picture but Sam had a good time too... I promise!

 Elijah was ready to take this little guy home with us. He always enjoys having a baby around to hold.
Wasn't long into the ride home that Ethan fell asleep. He was plain worn out.

Sherri, thanks for everything. 

Andrew's Latest Update - ProjectGofer continues . . .

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Below is the latest from my brother who is currently serving with Operation Mobilization. You can click here to read the previous post that explains what exactly he is doing this year.

"Hello Dear Friends and Partners in the Gospel! Greetings in the Name of Jesus, the Name above all names! 

I have much to share with you, and need your prayers as I continue in the battle. The last time I wrote you, I was about to leave for OM’s GO Conference in Holland. Let me start there . . .  
The GO Conference was a special time of learning and growing with over 400 new recruits, OM missionaries, staff and volunteers. I wanted to take some footage to show you, but due to security reasons (some of the new recruits were going into closed countries) I was not able to. So just imagine with me the unique diversity of this ten day training, there were over 60 different languages represented at the Conference. I met people from countries that once only received missionaries, now because of the power of the gospel, those same countries are sending missionaries! Praise the Lord! One of my highlights was the day of prayer where we prayed over all the nations on a huge map of the world. After the conference I had a layover in Amsterdam so I decided to take to the streets. See my video below, taken in the middle of the Red Light District. Please pray for the Netherlands and Amsterdam in particular. There is much need, but Christ is sufficient and the Gospel is powerful! 



After I got back I officially started as George Verwer’s Gofer! The very next day (Sunday) we had two meetings in the south of England. The next weekend we were in Scotland for several meetings. We spent a day in prayer in which we traveled by train though the Highlands of Scotland. I was able to do some hiking and God gave me a divine conversation with a lady who was walking on the same path. George preached in both Edinburgh and Glasgow during our time in Scotland. God is working in this country in spite of the secularism that prevails. 
See my video below for how you can pray for the church in Scotland. Also, watch as I interview Philip and Sharon Rose who work with OM in Scotland. Please Pray!



The following weekend found us in Italy at the base of the Italian Alps. We were there for the 50 year celebration of OM’s work in Italy. George spoke multiple times while there as well as preaching in a local church. Many books went out in both English and Italian. I’m constantly burdened as I see so much need all around the world, even in countries that one would think are fine. Italy is a country of great spiritual need, it has less than 2% of the gospel witness that the United States has. Watch the video below as Robert Vitter and I hike in the Italian Alps! Robert and his wife Laura work with OM in Italy. Please, pray for Italy and the Vitter’s ministry there. You won't’ want to miss watching this latest episode of ProjectGofer! It even has music!



A day and a half after getting back from Italy, George and I were on the road again . . . this time to America, have you heard of it? Me either. George was one of the keynote speakers at the Call2All Congress held in Kansas City. Call2All is an organization seeking to network different mission agencies together for the purpose of finishing the Great Commission in this generation. The International House of Prayer (IHOP) was the host. Our time at Call2All was very good and I was able to pray over an even bigger map! In fact at this conference they had two huge maps. The largest map was just the 10/40 window of the world and it took up a whole gymnazium! It was powerful because, the map had dots representing every unreached people group in the 10/40 window. Let me tell you . . . there were lots of dots. What gets me is that so many believers don’t seem to understand the true extent of the need around the world. In Kansas City alone there is more gospel witness and outreach than in some whole NATIONS! This should not be! The last words of Jesus, our Commander and King, were to “go into all the world . . . and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mat. 28:19-20). David Livingstone once said, "If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?" 

In my email back in August, I asked us to consider becoming more zealous in our devotion to Christ and in reaching the world for Jesus. So now, two months later, how are we doing? What are we doing to reach the lost millions of the world? Will you join me on this journey as we seek to learn how to live in such a way that our lives impact a lost world for Christ? I’m on this journey now and learning what those words mean, there’s no turning back, nor would I want to. I wouldn’t trade any passing pleasure this world offers for the joy of serving Christ. Christ is worth it all! 

Let me bring this to a close, it's far too long already. After returning from America we had a weekend of ministry in Northern Ireland, which was very fruitful. We have now been back here in London for the past week and a half (the longest I have been in one place since I left to come here:) Tomorrow we leave for a three week tour of the States and Canada. While there we will be in NY City, New York State, Idaho, Texas and Toronto Canada. 

Please pray for this trip, that our time at these churches and conferences would be fruitful. Pray for George as he speaks and for physical strength for his wife, Drena, as she will be accompanying him on this trip. Pray for me, that I would keep Christ first in everything, that I would be disciplined and diligent in my personal walk with the Lord, in Bible Study, prayer, and evangelism. Pray that I would have a heart of humility and serve George well.

Thanks for your continued prayers for me. Remember, “Live everyday like it’s your last, one day you’ll be right.” I love you all. 

For Christ and the Nations,
Andrew Day (the gofer)


P.S It was exactly one year ago, last night, that I first heard George Verwer speak at the Moody Missions Conference. It was one year ago, tonight, that he excepted my invitation and spoke on my floor (go Culby 16!). The rest is, as they say, history! I want to give a shout out to my Moody friends who are in the midst, of my favorite week of the year, Missions Conference! I would especially love to hear from you all. Let me know how God is working in your life this week. Know that I've been thinking and praying for you all. It's a powerful time, God radically shaped my life through Missions Conference. So wish I could be there right now!"


Hey there, it's Melissa again.

Here's something to think about. America spent $6.9 BILLION dollars on Halloween last year alone and it's expected to spend rise to $8 billion this year. 

The average family will spend $40 on Halloween. 

Which really isn't that much in the grand scheme of things. But if goes to show that if we all gave a little we could make a huge difference in taking the financial load off many missionaries backs. 

Because they don't get a salary from the mission agency, missionaries have to raise their own support from friends, family and churches back home who believe in them, believe in what they are doing, and are willing to stand behind them with their finances. 

I know it can be a scarifies. It's hard to let go of our hard earned money. But really, it's not our money. God has given us that money so that we could bring Him honor and glory in how we use it. 

What if we give even just half of what we will spend on Halloween to some one in need.

There are many needs and many ways to give. If you need more ideas or recommendations just ask and I can give you a list, from sponsoring a child, a local crisis pregnancy center, your church, or even buying some Thanksgiving groceries for a family you know.  

If you would like to send Andrew a gift:
Go to the OM site here and click Give Online
Choose the option "OM Missionary-Give to support OM's ministry through a person"
Fill in the information and follow the instructions. 


If you want to let him know you are praying for him or ask him a question you can email him at awd.day (at) gmail (dot) com.



Thanks for listening!

What You Don't Know About Writing a Cookbook

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Life as a recipe writer/tester is good when things work out.

So I'm officially in the thick of it, brainstorming, writing, shopping for ingredients, testing, tasting, re-writing, shopping for ingredients, re-testing, tasting, cleaning, bleaching and cleaning some more.
Such is the glamorous life of writing a cookbook. Don't get me wrong, I am utterly thrilled to death to have this opportunity, and every day I've got my eyes on the prize for when that first box of copies arrives on my doorstep, but the fact is, the means to the end involves some seriously hard work.

For starters, I haven't had a day off in at least 3 weeks (maybe more, but who is counting), and it looks like there ain't one coming anytime soon. I've got a fast deadline looming that often gives me panic attacks, most of the time at the oh-so convenient hour of 3am, which in turn, makes me a ball of fun when I have to get up at 7am. to start food prep.

Since I'm writing a slow cooker cookbook (emphasis on sloooowwww), the majority of the recipes I'm testing require 8+ hours of cooking time with some recipes topping out at 10-12 hours, which means there are some days where my work day starts at 8am and finishes at 11pm+. In effect, I've become a slave to my hot-ass kitchen, I've one nasty case of cabin fever, and I'm starting to get really cranky.

Now that I've aired that laundry list of whiny complaints, let me give you something practical to chew on, a little window into the financial world of what it's like to write a cookbook.

Recipe testing is an arduous and often expensive process: While some cookbook authors have an army of recipe writers, testers, kitchen assistants, personal shoppers, even ghostwriters to pen their books, the rest of us are left with a cutting board, a knife, pens and paper, and a long day ahead, and I personally wouldn't have it any other way. I'm far to anal to put my work in the hands of someone else, and frankly, sometimes it's easier to fly solo. While I do have several fine volunteer recipe testers lined up to help me (mostly friends and family), this will only happen after I have tested them at least twice and butchered them all to hell (please reference the above photo). This process not only includes conceptualizing, writing, testing, and re-testing, but sometimes even total failure with a complete do-over.
It also involves assembling grocery lists, shopping, shopping some more, and then shopping some more. I know my grocery store produce guys, my butchers and my check-out gals, and I figure they're wondering why I'm there all the time.

What many people may not realize is that all of these trips to the grocery store I pay for myself and they can get seriously expensive after weekly visits for months on end. But you got a big advance, so what's the problem, you ask? I did get an advance, but it wasn't "big" or anywhere on par with a Rachael Ray six-plus figure deal. It was average, and on par with what other cookbook authors who aren't celebs tend to make, and while I am thankful for the cushion, I will also need every penny of it. 
For starters, I paid a literary lawyer to help me negotiate the contract (I don't have an agent which can be another 15% deducted out of both your advance and your royalties). I am also paying for the book's photography (a biggie, but worth it because I know it will be stellar). I'm even paying for the indexing of the recipes (which takes a professional's eye so that was a necessity).

None of these extra costs are news to seasoned cookbook authors. This is how it's done now, and when one signs on to write a book, it's expected, but throw in food costs for testing some hundreds of recipes, paying the I.R.S., kitchen equipment costs, even basic necessities that get used up on a regular basis like trash bags, kitchen cleaning materials, kitchen tools etc...when the smoke clears, often an author ain't left with much. Toss in the fact that when she is on a super tight deadline, she won't have any time to take on any other jobs, so this cashola up front has got to last. To get a good idea of what I'm talking about, check out this article by veteran cookbook author David Lebovitz (specifically reference section 6 to see what I mean).

At the same time, writing a cookbook can be a beautiful thing. I've got dinners in the freezer to last the rest of the year, and my husband, parents and neighbors eat like kings. They get overly caloric, bacon-laden goodies like this on a regular basis:
They even get leftovers that can be made into yummy sandwiches.So all is certainly not lost, not even close. I am loving every second of sweating in the kitchen and plopping my butt in front of the computer to conceive something new and exciting. In fact, I haven't felt this happy in a long time, and in the end that's what it's all about. I'm doing what I love, living the dream. I won't be getting rich and I'm okay with that. This is not why I'm here, and I figure thousands of hard working chefs, food writers, bloggers and various creatives know exactly what I'm talking about.
In the meantime, I shall keep on keeping on and you should too. If you dream of writing a cookbook one day, don't let this information discourage you, but do know it's not all hearts and flowers. If you're okay with that and still want in, write a book proposal, get an agent, or self-publish your own book. Whatever you do, just do it. Your personal satisfaction will be priceless.

©2012 Fatback and Foie Gras. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.




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Roasted Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili – A Super Food for a Super Cause

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When ONE.org asked me to help raise awareness about their campaignto fight chronic malnutrition, using the humble sweetpotato, I had one important question…if I agreed, would I get some kind of totebag?

When I was informed there was no tote bag, I decided tocheck out their info anyway, and I’m very glad I did. While I was shocked to learnthat millions of children die each year from malnutrition, it was heartening tolearn what a huge difference this delicious “super-food” could make.
To help spread the word, I offer up this colorful, and verytasty, roasted sweet potato and black bean chili. I really enjoyed this 100%vegetarian version, and the extra step of roasting the potatoes not onlyconcentrated the sweet, earthy flavors, but gave the starchy chunks amarvelously meaty texture.
Anyway, I’m going to sign off so I can go add “Helped Bono fightchildhood malnutrition” to my resume, but I sincerely hope you take a minute and check outOne.org for more information about this sweet potato campaign, as well as sign the nutrition petition. Thank you, and as always, enjoy!

Ingredients:2 lbs orange-fleshed sweet potatoes1/2 tsp ground chipotle pepper, or to taste1/2 tsp salt2 tbsp olive oil, divided1 onion, diced4 cloves garlic, minced1 red bell pepper, diced1 jalapeno, sliced1 tbsp cumin3 tbsp Ancho chili powder, or other chili powder blends1/4 tsp dried oregano1 can (28-oz) diced or crushed tomatoes1 cup water, more as needed
1 tbsp corn meal 1 tsp salt, or to taste1 tsp sugar1 tsp unsweetened cocoa2 cans (15-oz) black beans, drained, rinsedcayenne to tastesour cream and cilantro to garnish

~Giveaway is CLOSED~ Tropical Traditions, Pumpkin Bread Recipe, and a Giveaway

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I've shared this Pumpkin Bread recipe with you before but since it's Fall I thought it would be a good time to share it again. Today I made it with coconut oil from Tropical Traditions. 

The original recipe used Olive Oil but we like to cook our food with coconut oil since most other oils becomes toxic at high temperatures.

Pumpkin Bread/Muffins1 1/2 cups flour1/2 teaspoon of salt1 cup sugar1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup pumpkin puree1/2 cup coconut oil2 eggs, beaten1/4 cup water1/4 teaspoon nutmeg1/4 teaspoon cinnamon1/4 teaspoon allspice1/2 cup chopped walnuts(I've added raisins in the past and it tastes great!)
1 Preheat oven to 350°F. Sift together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda.

2 Mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, 1/4 cup of water, and spices together, then combine with the dry ingredients, but do not mix too thoroughly. Stir in the nuts.

3 Pour into a well-buttered 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes until a thin skewer poked in the very center of the loaf comes out clean. Turn out of the pan and let cool on a rack.

Makes one loaf. Can easily double the recipe.(i've used three small loaf pans and they bake in half the time)
Today I used our mini muffin tins and baked them for about 20 minutes.
Recipe adapted from the Fannie Farmer Cookbook.

Does it pass our official taste tester?

If the nearly empty pan is any indication then YES it passed with flying colors.

Now this oil does have a slight taste of coconut so I use it mainly for baking. Although in this recipe the spices were stronger than the coconut taste so I didn't taste it at all. If i were to make, say a stir fry, I would use the Expeller Pressed coconut oil that doesn't have a taste or smell like coconut.

More about Tropical Traditions:
Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. 

You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil? 

They have many other products other than coconut oil as well. You can find organic snacks, baking supplies, pet products and more.

You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil.

Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online.

Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.
~Giveaway is CLOSED~
Win 1 quart of Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil!Mandatory Entry: subscribe to the email Sales Newsletter here.
Then leave a comment below.

Extra Entries can be gained by following on any of the following (leave a separate comment for each entry):
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And by visiting the Frequently Asked Questions page and leave me a comment with something you learned.
Tweet about this giveaway or share on Facebook or blog.









Giveaway is open to U.S. & Canada.
Giveaway ends a week from today.

If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you.

Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.