Plain Wisdom, Cindy Woodsmall & Miriam Flaud (Review and giveaway)

3 1/2 STARS

Non-Fiction

Available - Mar 15, 2011

About the book (from "Blogging for Books" website) - Best-selling novelist Cindy Woodsmall might seem to have little in common with Miriam Flaud, a woman immersed in the culture of Old Order Amish. But with nine children and almost 60 years of marriage between them, Cindy and Miriam both have found the secrets to facing life with strength and grace. Whether enduring financial setbacks, celebrating new babies and times of prosperity, grieving the crushing losses in the deaths of family and friends, or facing disappointments with their respective communities—through it all they find guidance for each day by looking to God. 

With poignant recollections, unexpected insights, and humorous tales, the two women welcome you into their unique friendship.  You’ll also gain a rare glimpse into the traditions and ways of the Amish as Miriam recalls special occasions and shares family recipes throughout the book.

Plain Wisdom is a heartwarming celebration of God, womanhood, and the search for beauty that unites us all. So grab your cup and your quilt and settle in for a soul-comforting read with Plain Wisdom.

Click HERE to download a sample of the book.

My Review - I am not a stranger to Cindy Woodsmall's books. I read her series - "Sister of the Quilt" and loved every one!
My first surprise in this book was that is was not a fiction novel! Which was ok, I just didn't know that. I like the design of the book, each Author takes turns telling little anecdotes about life. This was an amusing book, very quick read, something that would be good to take on vacation when you don't have to concentrate so much. About the only problem I had with this book was it was a little slow for me. but I did enjoy it!

I live in upstate NY and we have many many Amish families here and I read a lot of books about the Amish. So not too much of this book was new to me. I did enjoy the stories though.

These are the things I DID learn from this book that I didn't already know -
1."The Amish receive no government support for their schools, so the cost of constructing a building, supplying it with desks, books and equipment, and paying a teachers salary can be too much." The whole responsibility falls solely on the Amish community.
2. "The traditional Amish Wedding ceremony doesn't have flowers, but the groom usually sends a bouquet of roses to his fiancee's home the morning of the wedding."
3. "Married Amish women don't hold full-time jobs. If a young woman has a job before she marries, she'll give up that job after marriage.  While raising children, women can run small businesses that fit around the family's schedule."
4. " Amish children don't get a lengthy Christmas break like public school children. They got off for only two days - Christmas Day and the day following Christmas (Zwedde Grischtdaag - Second Christmas) it is a special time for visiting friends and relatives."

One thing I loved about this book was all the recipes , all throughout the book there Amish recipes, like - Crumb-top potatoes, Overnight blueberry french toast, Chocolate coffee cake, and Egg custard, just to name a few of the ones I am going to try.

My favorite quote from the book is -
I have a red wooden sign hanging in my dining room that reads, "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all"

Giveaway - If you would like to win my copy of this book (An Advance Reader Copy) please comment here or email me at - forevereading at gmail dot com
* Please include your email address so I can contact you.
* Please only The US and Canada
* I will choose and announce a winner (via random.org) on Feb. 4th
* The winner will have 48 hr to contact me back before I choose another winner.

Thank you -  WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for sending me this book to  review.