Restaurant Spotlights: Koi Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi

I first tried Koi Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi last year with my Mom. It was for Mother's Day. We both really enjoyed the food. I got the Yaki Soba with beef. (we also got the Gyoza - which is my favorite appetizer). Since that first meal, I've been wanting to go back. So, I recently set up lunch with my friend Cheryl. She hadn't tried their food yet, but she was excited about it. And I just couldn't wait to eat there again. I already knew what I was getting. It was the same thing as last year - the Yaki Soba with beef. Just so good! 💓

On that day, I got there first and secured a booth. I was super hungry, and I couldn't wait for food. I knew that my friend was coming soon, so I ordered an appetizer - which was the Gyoza. My friend arrived soon after. We both shared the Gyoza. After that, we ordered our meals. She got the fried shrimp Tempura, and I got my Yaki Soba with beef. We didn't have to wait long as the food came quickly. I gobbled up my food, or rather ate half of it, since there was a lot. I knew I'd have it later for dinner. My friend liked hers and was pleased!

We saved what was left of our meals and put them in some to-go-boxes. My friend, Cheryl, is a great encourager and friend. She followed my blog on here as well as on my Facebook page. I hope we can eat at some more restaurants as I review them for my blog. 💙 After spotlighting Koi Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi, I definitely recommend trying their food. I plan on going back and getting their Udon. I'll make sure to write about my next experience there. When you try out their food, be sure to try their Gyoza and Yaki Soba (Oh, and the Mochi ice-cream, too!). To be honest, I'm sure I'll be back soon! It's my new favorite place!

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

Book Spotlights: A Poem From Butterfly Wings

Today, I thought I'd share a poem from my book. Butterfly Wings is a personal collection of 30 poems and devotions. It's my first book. At this moment, I had an idea to offer a poem to my readers on this blog. I hope you enjoy the poem! There's 29 more within the book. All different themes to them. The book itself is a project born out of sorrow and joy. I felt like I needed to write it for anyone that needed hope. And I really enjoyed putting it together. 💙 This is kind of a secret, but I may write a second one. I'm going to pray about it first!

No Fear

I used to live in fear,
Would often shed a tear,
But no more this year.

No fear, I have rest,
Not from me, only the best,
From Heaven - this is a test.

No fear, He has me,
I already know, can see,
That I just have to be.

No fear, I'm loved,
But it's from high above,
Didnt' have to force it - shoved.

Finally, the quiet is here,
No more fear, not even a tear,
Peace - see, breathe, and hear.

I'm done, it's all over,
Clean from this; perfectly sober,
From the pain - no more, Grace

If you'd like to read the rest of my book, you can find it at the bookstore ...And Books, Too! It's also available on Amazon in paperback and kindle. Plus, if you'd like to learn more, you can visit my pages for my book and my ministry. Thank you! Really appreciate your support.

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

Photo Quests: Admiring The Lilacs

Intro: I had taken photos outside with my camera. I was looking for flowers, and I definitely found some at home. The lilacs were some of the ones I discovered. They're beautiful, and smell wonderful, too. I was excited to see the bush in full bloom.

Quest Ending: I'll never forget the scent that Lilacs have. They may be one of my favorite plants. Of course, I find it extremely hard to not like any plant. I'm just so grateful that I'm close to so many of them. It's truly a magical spring. Like, always. Thank you, Lord.

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

Book Spotlights: Song In The Night

Synopsis: Song in the Night

As a young Christian, Kevin Thorson was a normal, healthy 19-year-old. Music was his life, and he planned to play his guitar and use his talents for God. Abruptly, all seemed to end July 11, 1997.

His recalls the words from that dreaded phone call: Pam, you need to sit down... Kevin has been in an accident... paralyzed... ventilator... hospital... She could only comprehend the bits in between those horrifying words. Kevin was lying paralyzed on a ventilator in a foreign country with a broken neck.

Pam Thorson, with painful openness, recounts the true story of her family's nightmare as they struggled to live out their faith in the face of impossible odds. Song in the night traces the journey of her family to find peace in the midst of so much darkness.

You can find this book on Amazon in hardcover and kindle.

Author: Pam Thorson

I kept waiting for the happy ending to arrive... but I finally took the advice of a dear friend: Write the pain.

So Pam Thorson finally writes about her teenage son's tragic accident. From those first agonizing days to the surprising interventions of God that brought Kevin back from the brink of death, he earned the nickname Miracle in the Making.

Song in the Night is a story of their long suffering and God's tender grace; it is a story of assurance that the family is moving upward and onward. Pam insists that it is not about us. It is about our God... Who delights at the sound of His beloved children singing especially during that long, cold night before the dawn.

 About: Pam Thorson

Pam Thorson is a nurse, full-time caregiver, speaker, and author of four books: Song in the Night; Out from the Shadows: 31 Devotions for the Weary Caregiver; Arrow: the History and People of an Idaho Community, and Blood Falls. She is a regular contributor for the Christian music website CMADDICT.com. Pam lives in the Northwest with her family. You can also find her on Facebook and her website bloodfalls.net. 

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

Wordless Wednesday: Surrounded By Flowers

Devotional: His Abundant Blessings

We don't always receive good things. Sometimes life is difficult. I know what these days are like. I've faced many of them. Life can also be back and forth. There will be hard days and easy days. There will even be a mix of both. I've discovered for myself that there's usually some kind of blessing in a day no matter how hard it is. This isn't always the case, however. I know that life can get unbearable. But know this, there can be blessings. If we're given some rest and peace, we can then see the gifts of that day. When we can see them, it brightens our day like nothing else. It's a wonderful blessing from God.

God's blessings can be anything, I believe. He can make our day brighter through someone else. That person could be led to bless you. He can bless you with what seem to be simple gifts, but in turn, become the biggest blessings. I love it when my cat gets to cuddle with me. I'm reminded of the gift that I have a wonderful cat that provides me with comfort. And God created my cat! How awesome! We can experience God's blessings through prayer, too, which is one of the reasons why it's so important. Keep praying. You never know what could happen through talking with God. Don't give up, please. Together, we can keep at it.

We can receive God's blessings through almost anyone. Even you could be that blessing for someone. If you specifically feel led by God, He might just use you to help a person you know, and a stranger. It's so important to learn how to listen to God. He might be moving your heart to touch another heart out there. You can bless people by giving, helping, encouraging, or assisting them. It's limitless, and I wish more people would be open to it. We can become so engrossed in our own lives that we forget. But if we truly open our hearts, wonderful things can happen. With God, we can help change someone's life. 

Only with Him, can we experience His blessings. And He gives them out. I hope you find some of His blessings today and throughout. So, I pray, may His blessings flow abundantly to you when you need them. His gifts are many, and He is a generous God. Now, I don't mean He's going to make you rich with money. But He'll make you rich in His love, faith, and hope. And I pray you'll be gifted with much of those and are able to share them with others. He loves you so much. I'm sure He'll bless you in some way. So, take His blessings and offer them freely to others. You might just change a heart or two for His Kingdom.

His abundant blessings. 

"May He grant you your heart's desire and fulfill your whole plan!" - Psalm 20:4 NASB

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

Restaurant Spotlights: Rooster's Waterfront Restaurant

Recently, my Mom and I visited Rooster's Waterfront Restaurant. We had planned for a while to have lunch there. A day opened up and we excitedly went. We've been to Rooster's before, so it wasn't new (we just keep going back). It's become a favorite place for me and my family. We've had so many celebrations there. This particular day was free to go, so we dropped by. I was looking forward to eating there with my Mom. I also knew that we would have to eat some clam chowder. I thought I'd like the mushroom burger, too, but later changed my mind. Both were tempting, especially the clam chowder. I just had to.

When we entered, we were welcomed by a friendly waitress. While we followed her to a booth, I enjoyed looking at the decor. It's so fun inside. Outside was super windy! I'm just glad it didn't rain that day, but our hair was crazy. We sat down at our booth and ordered our drinks. I chose a Mountain Dew, and my Mom selected a coffee. She said that Rooster's has some of the best coffee for a sit-down restaurant. I haven't tried it, but I should next time. We then ordered a cup of clam chowder. I have to be honest; I can be picky with clam chowder. It's the clams. But when they gave us our cups of chowder, I was elated.

Oh. my. word. The clam chowder was creamy. The clams were great, and the potatoes were soft. The flavor was absolutely the best. I really don't know if there's any other place locally that does clam chowder, but Rooster's chowder is amazing. I would go back just for the clam chowder. Once I slurped up the chowder, they came by with our halibut and chips. We both got the same dishes. Yum! The crust on the fish was crunchy. The fish itself was so good! I dunked the fish in the tartar sauce, and the fries in the fry sauce. Together, they were wonderful. I've had this meal before, and it's always an awesome choice. 💓

The meal was just what I expected - perfect! After we were done with our food, we headed out. I stopped to take a picture of the river on our way to the car. Another thing that I like about Rooster's is the river. When you're seated, you can get a view of the river from where you're at. The river is so big, that it makes me think it's the ocean. It's not, obviously, but it's a nice comparison since I always miss the ocean. If you haven't tried Rooster's yet, I highly recommend that you do! It's one of my favorite places to eat at. I hope to go many more times to enjoy their food and atmosphere. I'll be going again soon, I'm sure. 💙

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson