Who Do You Think You Are? #Worthiness #SelfWorth


Who Do You Think You Are?


Do you remember the first time you heard that question? Most likely, we were young, and that question was meant to stop us in our tracks like the ping of a stone flung from a slingshot. How dare you speak your mind! How dare you be so big, so bold, so uninhibited! It was meant as a rebuke or a correction.

Usually the scolding came from someone we respected—a trusted friend, a sibling, a parent, a teacher. And that someone had decided we needed some sort of intervention. However, had we really crossed the line? Or was our light simply shining bright at that moment? Deciphering the difference is so important.

Our sense of worthiness is learned early in life. During childhood, our individuality, that which makes us unique, is all too often discouraged. If we were made to feel self-conscious about our opinions, our thoughts, our dreams, we can develop a sense of shame that makes it difficult for us to see our true selves.

A healthy sense of worthiness allows us to shine; it also helps us to attract and choose good things for ourselves: healthy habits, love, happiness, wonderful relationships. When we feel worthy, outside opinions matter much less and we have a greater possibility of living joyful and enthusiastic lives.

If we’re not careful, we can wear a sense of shame like a wool coat. Slipping out of that heaviness can take a bit of discipline, but it can be done. Here are a few ways we can start to shed the shame and feel more deserving.

·        Quell that critical inner voice. Weather that harsh inner coach was developed through a painful childhood or the condemning attitudes of others, we must begin to tame our thoughts and stop judging ourselves if we want to feel worthy of happiness.
·        Acknowledge your suffering and the suffering of others. Developing a sense of compassion is crucial.
·        Be kind in response to your own suffering and the suffering of others. Kindness is also an important aspect of a healthy sense of worthiness.
·        Realize that imperfection is part of everyday life and something all humans share.


Help me add to this list. What other ways can we develop a healthy sense of self-worth? Note your answers in the comment section below.

A Beautiful Stranger Release Tour @BPICPromos @DonnaFaz $20 GC #Giveaway



A Beautiful Stranger
by Donna Fasano
Series: Family First, #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 10, 2016






When Sean Hudson arrives to claim his new daughter, he discovers the adoption hinges on the impossible. Unless he finds a wife immediately, the tiny orphan will be snatched away from him forever. But before Sean can abandon hope, a beautiful stranger proposes a surprising solution—marriage.



Sean swears the love in his heart is only for his soon-to-be daughter. And that is perfect for Nicki Willis, whose restless spirit yearns to have a family for just a while. But the tenderness of Sean’s touch soothes Nicki’s fears as well as little Sona’s. Now Nicki aches to become a family forever… and she refuses to believe she can’t make this dream come true.











Paperback






USA Today Bestselling Author Donna Fasano has written over 30 romance and women's fiction books that have sold 4 million copies worldwide. Her books have won numerous awards and have been published in nearly 2 dozen languages.






Love Donna's books?
Join Donna's Street Team - The Prima Donnas










Spinach Artichoke Dip #Recipe for #Foodies

Have you been invited to a holiday party? Here’s an all-time favorite that is sure to please everyone. Spinach Artichoke Dip is delicious and easy to prepare. This dip can be served hot out of the oven or at room temperature.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 4-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained, 
   patted dry
1 cup (packed) fresh baby spinach leaves
1/3 cup red onion, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and Pepper to taste

1.     Preheat oven to 400° F.
2.     Cream together the mayonnaise, sour cream and cream cheese until thoroughly combined. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.
3.     Chop the artichokes and stir into the cheese mixture.
4.     Add spinach, onion, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly. Transfer dip to a shallow baking dish.
5.     Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top. Serve with crusty bread, pita chips, or crackers.








~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Peanut Butter Crisscross Cookies #Christmas #Recipes

I ran this post a couple of years ago, but this recipe is an old standby at my house. I cannot resist a warm peanut butter cookie!

Mmmmm. My house smells like warm cookies. Is there a better aroma than that at Christmas time? I just finished making Peanut Butter Crisscross Cookies. This recipe is easy enough to make with your children. 

When my boys were young, we spent many hours in the kitchen together. (It's a great way to teach math skills.) I have so many wonderful memories of turning on holiday music, cracking eggs, measuring flour, stirring, molding, tasting... ah, the wonders of Christmas cookie baking! So pull out the bowls and measuring cups. It's time to bake some cookies.  


Peanut Butter Crisscross Cookies

½ cup peanut butter
½ cup vegetable shortening
½ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 375º.

Mix together the peanut butter, shortening, white sugar, and brown sugar. Add the egg and stir until well incorporated. Add in the dry ingredients.

Roll dough into ¾ inch balls and place on cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Press a fork into each cookie, flattening slightly, to make a crisscross pattern.

Bake for approximately 9 minutes. Let cookies cool for a few minutes before removing them from the cookie sheet.

*****

Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies:

Make dough as above and roll into balls. Press thumb deeply into each cookie and bake for 9-10 minutes. Fill thumbprint indentations with your favorite jam or jelly.

*****

Do you cook and bake with your kids? What's your favorite type of Christmas cookie?

News for #NOOK Readers! NOOK Press Presents! @DonnaFaz

Editors from NOOK Press have handpicked what they’re calling “the best books from emerging authors and new voices.” The collection is made up of 60 exciting titles meant to ignite your holiday reading. Check out the list to find some new favorites: NOOK Press Presents.

Yesterday, I was awed to learn that my new release—GROWN-UP CHRISTMAS LIST—was chosen by the editors for the NOOK Press Presents List. Other authors who made it into the collection are Barbara Freethy, Belle Andre, Maggie Shayne, and Debbie Macomber, just to mention a few. I hope you'll take a moment to look through these wonderful titles.

Find NOOK Press on Facebook here.

Have you been wanting a NOOK eReader? Or are you interested in buying a NOOK as a holiday gift? Find more information here.

Can't afford an eReader? Barnes & Noble offers a FREE NOOK app as well, that allows you to buy and read ebooks without purchasing an eReader. You can download to any mobile device. More information here.

~  ~  ~


Do you love Christmas cookies? I love baking them and eating there. Here’s a FREE cookbook for you! FAVORITE CHRISTMAS COOKIES is filled with recipes from some of your favorite authors! Download today for:

Nook     Kindle     iBooks     Kobo


HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 


19 Free and Bargain eBooks! #CyberMonday @ColleenConnally @JackieWeger and More!

Bargain! 99¢!
Bargain! 99¢
Bargain! 99¢

Bargain! 99¢  

     
Free!
Free!
Free!
Bargain! 99¢
Bargain! 99¢

Free!
Bargain! 99¢

Free!


Bargain! 99¢

Bargain! 99¢
Bargain! 99¢

Bargain! 99¢
Bargain! 99¢
Bargain! 99¢
Bargain! 99¢ 

Cranberry Sauce with Mandarin Orange Slices and Walnuts @DonnaFaz #recipes #foodie

On the fourth Thursday of November, families all over the United States gather together to eat delicious food, laugh with and love each other, and express gratitude for their blessings. This year, I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner at my house, and this is one of my tried and true side dish recipes. 

Cranberry Sauce With Mandarin Oranges Slices and Walnuts   

2 12-ounce bags of fresh cranberries
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup orange juice (or water)
2 15-ounce cans mandarin orange slices, drained
3/4 cup walnut pieces, lightly toasted.

1. Toast walnuts in a 350° F oven for 6-10 minutes until fragrant and just turning golden. Do not burn the walnuts. The smaller the walnut pieces, the shorter the oven time. Set aside.

2. Add cranberries, sugar, cinnamon, and juice to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes. The berries will pop and break down during the cooking. Remove from heat and set aside to cool for about 30 minutes.

3. Gently stir in the walnuts and mandarin orange slices, being careful not to break down the orange slices. Chill thoroughly before serving.


Happy Thanksgiving from my house to yours! 

New Release! A BEAUTIFUL STRANGER by @DonnaFaz #SweetRomance

Welcome to my new series, A Family Forever!

I have always enjoyed stories where two people—different as sea and sky—come together for the sake of a child and end up falling madly in love. As in all of my books, the main characters in A BEAUTIFUL STRANGER have plenty of foibles and flaws, but Sean and Nicki try to set aside their inner conflicts for a time and agree to a marriage-of-convenience in order to help little Sona become comfortable in her new home. However, once attraction sparks between the adults, both of these lonely people must confront their internal strife and find a way to a brighter future. I hope you enjoy the first book in my A Family Forever Series.

More about the book:

When Sean Hudson arrives to claim his new daughter, he discovers the adoption hinges on the impossible. Unless he finds a wife immediately, the tiny orphan will be snatched away from him forever. But before Sean can abandon hope, a beautiful stranger proposes a surprising solution—marriage.

Sean swears the love in his heart is only for his soon-to-be daughter. And that is perfect for Nicki Willis, whose restless spirit yearns to have a family for just a while. But the tenderness of Sean’s touch soothes Nicki’s fears as well as little Sona’s. Now Nicki aches to become a family forever… and she refuses to believe she can’t make this dream come true.

Find this book:


US Kindle        UK Kindle