Month: October 2020

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Gina’s Mexican Restaurant, Nanaimo

Need a colourful perk-up and a little spice? Try Gina’s Mexican Restaurant at the top of the bluff, downtown Nanaimo. My son and I went there a couple of weeks ago for a late lunch after doing some packing and taking a load to Value Village.

Warm and cheery, it was just the thing. In a little old house, you can choose a room or deck to sit in, inside or out. Funky and homey, it’s a feel-good change from franchise hamburger joints.

Our table was adjacent to the kitchen. Staff chatted and bustled to and fro with orders, but as long as you don’t mind that, the room was cozy and bright. Rooms overlooking the city had been reserved. Good thing we hadn’t arrived during lunch hour or we would have had to wait outside due to covid restrictions. Mind you, if you come in your car you can wait there and they’ll call your cell when your table is ready.

Our meals came to $28 before the tip. We stuck with water, but there is a nice selection of drinks available.

I’d like to go for supper sometime and sit by a window overlooking the lights. See you there, maybe?

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Firstborn: A Novel, by Robin Lee Hatcher, RobinSong Inc. ebook edition, 2018.

Ebook Edition

Firstborn, by Robin Lee Hatcher, was a free ebook download. I read it on Kindle with a free app. Normally I prefer to read traditional paper books because I like flipping through the pages. This was my first time reading on this Kindle app, and it was okay other than the annoying features of the page jumping ahead or going black on me.

Themes of Teen Pregnancy, Secrecy, Adoption, Family and Forgiveness

Robin Lee Hatcher is one of my favourite authors, and this book is on a similar theme to my work in progress, so I wanted to learn from her approach. It centres around a young woman who, although she mostly lives by Christian values, makes a mistake and becomes pregnant in her teenage years.

The storyline alternates between Erica’s adult present life in the story, and her younger years in the ’70s. Hatcher uses month and year dates on some of the chapters to notify the reader of the timeline. I like this because as a reader you are not left guessing where you are in the story. Knowing what year it is also helps you understand the setting of the chapter.

The author explores thoughts and emotions in depth from the point of view of each character, especially at certain pivotal times in their lives. In this story the main character keeps her teenage pregnancy a secret, but it resurfaces into her ‘perfect’ adult life, causing untold disruption. The superficial perfection is shattered. Disaster looms, but in the end each character goes through much soul-searching and come out better for it.

I would consider this more of a Women’s Fiction than a Romance because the turmoil eclipses the elements of romance, although there is a sweet ending involving decisions of love. The story would be viable even if it ended differently, as it likely would in most real life situations.

The topic is relevant, exploring teen pregnancy, adoption, secrecy, family relationships, friendship, and spirituality. Life isn’t perfect, even for Christians. Acceptance and forgiveness are central to true Christianity, not superficial perfection. God doesn’t stand in judgement; it is people who do this to each other, ruining lives in the process.

Jesus Christ gave his life to bring forgiveness. Until the church embraces this gospel, it is a sham of destruction. Hatcher does a good job of bringing out this hypocrisy as each character in the story faces their own pride and unforgiveness and with God’s help is able to forgive the others, resulting in a satisfying ending.

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https://www.kindle/Firstborn: A Novel

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Moist Molasses Pear Muffins

Satisfying and slightly spicy, perfect for fall and winter with a hot drink, these moist muffins are sure to please.

Molasses Pear Muffin

Ingredients:

  • raisin bran cereal – 1 & 1/2 cups
  • ground flax – 1/2 cup
  • whole wheat flour – 1/2 cup
  • all-purpose flour – 2 tablespoons
  • baking soda – 1 teaspoon
  • salt – 1/4 teaspoon
  • currants – 1/4 cup
  • chopped candied ginger – 2 tablespoons
  • cinnamon – 1 teaspoon
  • cloves – 1/4 teaspoon
  • allspice – 1/4 teaspoon

Measure above ingredients into a large bowl and stir together. In a smaller bowl, beat one egg until frothy, and add 1/4 cup cooking oil, 1/2 cup molasses, 1 teaspoon cider vinegar mixed with 1/3 cup milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

Chop 3 small pears and add to wet ingredients. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Stir just until moist. Spoon into greased muffin tin and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Makes 12.

The spicy scent of the muffins mingled with the scent of a rose that my late husband planted–such a lovely gift from him. He would have like these muffins too I’m sure.

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