Disclosure: I received these products for review; the post contains affiliate links. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Springtime brings a season of renewal for the soul.  I enjoy the brisk chill in the air that will soon be replaced by steamy summer mornings.  The green leaves that fill my vision as I drive home from work is a much prettier sight than the dead-looking branches that abound in winter.  This week I’ve relished in some books that help bring a sense of redemption and newness to life.  It’s also a great time for a new snack favorite!

In the book One Perfect Spring, busy career man Keith finds his own spiritual renewal when he doesn’t even realize he needs one.  Assigned to a charitable project that he resents more than a little bit, Keith is forced to deal with skeletons in his own closet.  The story was so realistic and modern that it was easy to relate to the characters.  There were some closed-door bedroom references that will prevent me from sending the book on to my grandmother, but overall the book was heartwarming.  The story is a great reminder that one can never tell what God has in store for us.  It also sends the strong message that people really can change, no matter what conflicts they  may face in their lives.

One Perfect Spring echoes with the pain of mistakes made but the healing power of forgiveness.  The parents in this book made great sacrifices for their kids, usually with good intentions but often with unintended outcomes.  As a parent, I’ve come to a new understanding of the decisions my mother made while trying to raise two kids on her own.  When I was a child, I didn’t see how hard it was for her.  One Perfect Spring is a great book that resonates with grace and love.

While I read One Perfect Spring, I enjoyed some delicious treats from the May Orange Glad subscription box. New subscription boxes are always fun but a dessert club really takes the cake, don’t you think?  Or in this case, the Welsh cake.  Because those things are good.

This fun subscription box sends you assorted snacks from premier bakeries across the country.  If you’re looking for some decadent gluten free, natural and delicious treats, look no further!  The box is $15 per month (plus S&H) which seemed a little high to me at first. However, when I realized that I can easily spend $4 on a baked treat that tastes like cardboard at the mall, this didn’t seem so bad.  I like learning about new companies and sites, too.  Use code LOVESWEETS to save 10% on your purchase from Orange Glad. The sweet shop has lots of gift boxes that make the perfect item to present at graduation, Father’s Day, or any occasion. This would also be a thoughtful subscription for your favorite college-bound kid!  If you are in charge of corporate gift lists at Christmas or want to give a personal gift to a friend, consider the Orange Glad dessert subscription.  

To see the unpacking of the box, just watch the video below. My son was with me as I opened the box and he offers his own commentary.

The treat that received the highest marks at our house was the Sconehenge brownie.  It was big enough to share, so share we did!  Each of us got a little taste of it and sighed.  The dense brownie had an intense chocolate flavor and a satisfying fudgy consistency.  Best part? It was gluten free.  Not that I’m averse to gluten but it made me feel like I must be eating something healthy.

The Italian butterhorns from CiCi’s were super yummy, too.  They reminded me of a homemade snickerdoodle cookie wrapped up like a crescent roll.  Delish!  The Baking Bettys cookie was also tasty but very small.  I felt a little disappointed at its size and would have liked a bigger sample….say three or so.  Now, in the video, I thought the big cookie was chocolate chip.  Instead it had three big marshmallow spots in the middle of it.  This was not my favorite because I don’t prefer marshmallows, but the cookie itself was so chewy that it made up for all that sweetness and texture.  I was also partial to the cranberry Welsh cakes.  They were like the dessert version of scones.  So, so good.  I want to learn to recreate these at home. Wait, what am I saying?  I mean, I want to order dessert online in bulk! 

This week I challenge you to find a few moments to catch a good book to enjoy with a yummy snack!