Tales of the TCKK Family

Don't Give Up! Hang in There!

2012-01-26T06:00:00.002-05:00

Last night in Bible Study we were studying the 12th chapter of Hebrews and there are just so many good things in there. But I really liked some of the things that were said about this first verse:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1

The "cloud of witnesses" in this scripture is the people in chapter 11 where they are talking about different ones that "by faith" they did this and "by faith" they did that. Such as: " By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac," or "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter," We call chapter 11 the Hall of Fame of Faith.

These are the people that verse 1 in chapter 12 is talking about and also our loved ones who have gone on before us. These are the ones who are our witness and they are cheering us on to the goal. I think of people like my grandparents and my aunts and uncles that are in heaven. I love the thought that they are there cheering me on home. Maybe they are saying things like: get back up Cathy, we all fell sometimes too; Keep on moving forward; Keep the goal in sight. You can do it. Jesus is right there with you.

So if you're discouraged, Don't Give Up! Hang in There! You have a whole crowd cheering you on.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

Click the button above to join in with us.

1. The NFL playoffs were held this past weekend and this year's Superbowl lineup will feature The New York Giants versus The New England Patriots. How do you define 'patriot'?
I would define it as someone who is loyal to their country and is willing to stand for what they believe in.

2. What's something in your life right now that feels like a 'giant'?
This weight loss journey I've just started.

3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think back to being 18?
How young and naive I was.

4. Coconut-mashed potatoes-vanilla ice cream-mayonnaise...which white food would be the hardest to give up?
Mashed potatoes

5. Describe an incident or a day you remember as the coldest you've ever experienced?
Probably one of the days when we've been out shoveling our drive-way and everything was covered in ice and then coming in and fixing "real" hot chocolate instead of the instant kind.

6. You're hosting a brunch...what's your favorite dish to prepare and serve?
I've never hosted a brunch, but one of the breakfast dishes I like to serve when my girls had sleepovers was French Toast.

7. How do you combat negative thinking?
By thinking positively! lol Don't you wish it was just that easy? Actually, through prayer and scripture reading and talking and praying with my hubby.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Has anyone seen "Joyful Noise" with Dolly Partin and Queen Latifah yet? Is it any good? I really want to see this, but I'm waiting for it to come to our local $5.00 theater.

Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go by Naomi Dathan

2012-01-25T02:00:00.001-05:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Naomi Dathan

and the book:

Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go

Kirkdale Press (November 27, 2011)

***Special thanks to Ryan Rotz, Publicist, Kirkdale Press for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Naomi Dathan has been fascinated with prairie life since her third grade teacher read Little House in the Big Woods to the class. She finally indulged this fascination with her fourth novel, Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go. She lives in Ohio with her two daughters and two undersized beagles with oversized egos.

Check out her witty blog http://naomidathan.com

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

For everything there is a season. A season for joy. A season for sorrow. A season for testing.

Jem Perkins has it all – money, a fine house, a handsome husband, and a new baby boy. But when her family fortunes turn, Jem’s husband Seth leads her to a new home: a sod house on a Nebraska homestead.

It is a season of growth for Jem as she reluctantly confronts her new realities: back-breaking labor, dangerous illness, and mind-numbing isolation. She learns to embrace her new role as a capable woman and marriage partner and discovers an awareness of God’s hand in her life.

Then, on January 12, 1888, the history-making Children’s Blizzard sweeps across the land, ushering in a season of hardship she never expected. Can Jem’s confidence, marriage, and new-found faith weather the storm?

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Vyrso is a new Christian ebookstore and reader app from Logos Bible Software. You can read Vyrso ebooks on your iPad, iPhone, Android tablet or phone, and online at Biblia.com.

Product Details:

Kindle Price: $6.15

Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 382 KB
Simultaneous Device Usage:Unlimited
Publisher: Kirkdale Press (November 27, 2011)
Sold by:Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B006FK72QE
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
Lending: Enabled

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

January 12, 1888

At midnight, Charley woke shivering in his trundle bed. “Ma?”

He rose, but couldn’t see his mother’s form in the faltering lamplight. “Ma? Mom-mom?”

Still no answer. The cast iron stove was dark and silent. The wind outside howled like a wolf, and caught at the door of the sod house, swinging it open and shut.

Where was Ma? Why wasn’t she making the stove hot or snuggling him warm under the covers? Was she outside with the wind-wolf?

Charley went toward the door. Ice blew into his eyes, making them water. But he wasn’t crying. Not yet. Warmth brushed his legs, a wetness caressed his cheek. The big dog, Zeke, curled his shaggy body against Charley, pushing him backward—away from the open door.

Charley pushed back and shook his finger at him. “No! Bad.”

Zeke whined and pressed harder. Charley fell, landing on something warm and solid. It didn’t hurt, but he set to wailing anyway, protesting his alone state, his empty belly, and the bitter cold that bit at his eyes and ears and nostrils like fierce ants.

No one came to comfort him, so his cries soon dried up. He scuttled across the still form on the floor, pausing at a tinkling sound. “Ging,” he said, remembering. “Ging, ging, ging.”

The bell. Pa had rung the bell today. Ding, ding, ding. He’d stoked the fire high and hot, gave Charley cold mash to eat, and clung to the doorframe, ringing and ringing the bell. Once, Pa had fallen to the dirt floor, but after a long while, he pushed himself upright, clutched the doorframe, and rang the bell again.

Now Pa was on the floor again, unmoving.

Charley stepped on Pa’s head as he went to look outside “ Ma!” The storm sucked his voice away so fast that he didn’t even hear himself. The winds answered in high voices, scared and scary at the same time. Was Ma out there in the black with the wind voices?

At last, Charley made up his mind. With Zeke making little worried sounds close beside him, Charley stepped out into the blizzard to find Ma.

***

August 14, 1886 (Seventeen months before)

The Reynolds’s tea was well attended, but the August heat oppressed the guests, subduing the conversation to a languid pace. Servants discreetly watered—and even fanned—the profusion of roses arranged in vases through the room. Ladies and gentlemen sipped English tea and nibbled at scones and trifles to be polite, waiting for the blessed moment when they could return home, untie their cravats and corsets, and have a cool bath.

Jem Perkins had nothing but sympathy for the wilting flowers. She sank onto a thickly upholstered chair next to her sister and fanned herself.

“Can we go home now?” she whispered.

“Hush!” Sally hissed, shooting a worried glance toward their hosts. “Mrs. Reynolds has been planning this tea for weeks. And we haven’t even greeted the guest of honor yet.”

Hiding behind her fan, Jem peeked at Mrs. Ashley Grayson, seated near the window. She couldn’t hear what Mrs. Grayson said, but it drew appreciative laughter from the surrounding crowd. Jem smiled at her sister with her eyes. “She does feed off the adoration, doesn’t she?”

Sally frowned. “Oh, Jem, I’m sure that’s not fair. Mrs. Grayson deserves credit for starting the Children’s Board.”

“Of course she does! But don’t you think she has a bit of the look a cat gets when he’s found a sunny spot on the windowsill?”

Sally pursed her lips. “You could have worked with her, Jem. I know she asked you to. Then you’d be right up there beside her.”

Wasn’t that just like Sally, to make out that Jem was jealous. What had she to be jealous of?

Jem fanned herself again, waiting until her irritation ebbed before answering. After all, it wouldn’t do for Jem—the married woman—to engage in sibling squabbling with her poor spinster sister. Once satisfied that there would be only kindness in her voice, she answered. “I was hardly in a position to take on an outside project right then, was I? A woman’s first responsibility is to her family. Perhaps you’ll understand … one day.”

Sally’s cheeks went pink as the arrow found its mark. She was Jem’s elder by three years, poor thing, and she didn’t even have a serious beau. She sniffed. “I’m sure that was it. I’m sure it wasn’t because you discovered that setting up a charitable foundation actually requires a great deal of work.”

That stung. Jem lowered her fan. “Now you’re just being cruel. You know I work very hard, Sally. Look at how many hours I put into the flower garden last year.”

“And then you lost interest and Rogers had to take it over.”

“And think of all the poetry I’ve written. You’ve never written a poem in your life!”

“And I’m better off for it.”

“At least I’m trying things. Maybe I haven’t found my true calling yet, but you shouldn’t fault me for trying.”

Sally opened her mouth, but then shut it again, holding up a restraining palm. “Oh, we’re quarreling like children.” She sighed. “I apologize. I’m sure you have found your true calling, Jem. I’m sure your true calling is motherhood. You’re wonderful with Charley, and what’s more important than raising a happy, healthy child?”

Jem settled back in her seat, buying herself a minute by sipping her iced tea. Sally would never have apologized a year ago, would certainly have never offered a compliment. It was disconcerting, really. “It is hot,” she offered.

Seeing Sally relax, she did too, leaning forward to whisper to her. “And boring. I know Mrs. Grayson deserves all of our admiration. I do, truly. But I’m so tired of seeing all the same people and having all the same conversations, day after day. This city is chockfull of people, but you couldn’t tell by us.”

“There’s the doorbell,” Sally said. “I’m sure it will be someone fascinating.”

“Like Mark Twain?”

“That’s right. Or Buffalo Bill.”

Jem giggled. “How about Jesse James?”

“I think he’s dead. Wasn’t he killed? Oh—” Her tone changed abruptly. “Look. It is someone new.”

Jem looked. Her fan froze. The tall man stood in the entry to the parlor, his bearing military even out of uniform. He bowed slightly to Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, shook Mr. Reynolds’s hand, and exchanged greetings with surrounding guests. Feminine eyes followed his progress as he strode in, but he didn’t seem to notice. His pewter gray eyes scanned the crowd, and landed on Jem.

She returned his gaze, then lowered her attention to her skirts. “Well, now. The new guest is dashing, wouldn’t you say, Sally?”

Sally made a haughty harrumph. “Oh, Sister, he looks to be a bit of a ruffian to me. Like someone who spends time in the Wild West. You’d do well to stay away from him, I think.”

Jem murmured her agreement and peeked at the man over her fan again. His eyes were still on her. “I believe I’ll have some refreshment.”

She approached the buffet table, turning her back on the man. Her sister was at her elbows, but when she felt Sally withdraw, she knew the man was approaching. She peeked at him over her shoulder while she ladled pink punch into a glass. He removed his derby and offered a slight bow.

“Ma’am.”

“Lieutenant.”

His lips twitched at her return address, or perhaps at the Virginia drawl that had crept into the single word. “I wonder if I might join you for a beverage.”

“Why, sir, as a guest of this tea party, you are as welcome as anyone to partake, I daresay.” Yes, the drawl of her childhood was definitely back, sliding through her words like sugarcane molasses.

“Indeed,” the man said. He poured himself punch and downed it in a single motion. The glass looked ridiculous in his large hand, like a child’s play teacup. “I have to say, ma’am, that the scenery in St. Paul has certainly improved since my departure to Washington. I don’t remember such fine, dainty creatures as yourself frequenting the Reynolds’s teas in the past.”

Jem smiled at that, but flushed a little, too. “Perhaps, sir, you are mistaking me for one of the young ladies playing Botticelli in the next room. I’m afraid I don’t particularly”—she took her time with the word, savoring each syllable as she hadn’t in years—“qualify as dainty anymore.”

He imitated her accent, exaggerated it into a parody of a Virginia gentleman. “Why, ma’am, you are very mistaken, I’m sure. Why, you are the … the epitome of feminine beauty and delicacy. Your eyes are as blue as cornflowers. Your lips, well, they’re two precious little, uh, roses. In fact, I wonder if we could step out into the gardens and take a stroll together? Just the two of us?”

“Why, sir! Surely you don’t expect me to leave this tea with you, unchaparoned. Think of the scandal.”

He pressed his hand to his chest, gave her moon eyes. “Nothing of the sort, ma’am. I cherish your reputation as I would cherish, well, the soundness of my horse’s legs. I would die before compromising your honor. In fact, in order to protect your good name, I am willing to go this far: I will tell these people that we are married.”

Jem started to giggle, then; she couldn’t help it. He grinned back at her, and the game was up. She threw her arms around his neck, in spite of all the company around. “Oh, Seth. I’m so glad you’re home. I thought you wouldn’t be back for two more weeks.”

“Jem.” He put his arms around her waist and let out a long breath, letting his rigid stance relax. “This was long enough. I missed you. Can we break away from this tea? How is the baby?”

“Oh, I hated to leave him. I think he might be getting diphtheria.”

“Diphtheria?” He didn’t sound worried. In fact, he sounded a little amused. She backed out of his arms a little to frown at him.

“Diphtheria is very serious.”

“You’ve had the doctor by, I take it?”

“Of course. Twice now.”

“And he said?”

“Oh, you know how Dr. Hollister is. You’d have to lay an egg for him to agree you have chicken pox.”

Seth took her elbow lightly and led her through the parlor, nodding to the ladies, offering greetings to a few of the men. “Jemima, I’m sure Dr. Hollister would know if Charley had diphtheria. It’s very distinct.”

“You know I worry. He coughs continually—all night long. And his nose is running.”

“Darling, it sounds like he has a cold.” He led her to the front door, where they made their apologies to the Reynolds. “Come,” he said, as he led her to the carriage. “I’ll have a look. I certainly know what diphtheria looks like.”

Before they’d stepped through the French doors of their home, they could hear Charley’s outraged screams ringing through the house. Jem dropped Seth’s arm and ran up the long, curving staircase, allowing him to follow when he would. “Charley! Oh, dear, what’s happened?”

She stopped when she entered the nursery. Her boy was upright, clutching the bars of his crib with chubby fingers, red-faced and tearful, but otherwise apparently fine. “Oh, dear.” She hurried to lift him and snuggled him against her bosom. “What’s the matter, you poor little boy? Are you hurt?”

Charley’s cries subsided. He rested his nearly bald head against her, hiccoughing.

“Poor boy,” Jem crooned. “Mama’s here, now. Where’s Nursie, hmm? Didn’t she hear you cry?”

“He has grown.” Seth’s voice came from the doorway. “Was he standing? When did he start that?”

“Last week.” She smiled up at him, keeping her cheek pressed against the peach fuzz of Charley’s warm head. “I wrote to you about it, but I suppose you didn’t get the letter.”

“No, but I haven’t stayed in one place for more than a night.” He sighed, came and wrapped his arms around Jem, enveloping her and the baby in a hug. “My family.”

“Oh, no, ma’am!” Sophie’s voice was sharp. “He’s supposed to be napping.”

Jem and Seth turned to look at the nurse. Her hands were closed into tight fists, pressed against her stout body as if she were restraining herself from snatching the child and putting him back in his crib.

“Oh, but he was crying so hard. Poor boy.”

“Good afternoon, Lieutenant. Welcome home,” Sophie said, then firmed her voice to Jem. “No, ma’am. Colonel Wilkinson was clear on that. The boy must stay in his crib for his nap. The colonel don’t want him spoiled.”

Seth’s voice was pleasant. “Sophie, I believe you work for me, not Colonel Wilkinson.”

“No, no.” Jem hurried to the crib. “It’s fine, Seth. Really. My father is right—you know I’ll spoil him.”

She peeled Charley off her chest and set him in the crib. His screams renewed, broken by sobs. He rolled and pulled himself back up to his feet. Seth picked him up. Charley reached for his mother, but Seth didn’t hand him over.

“Oh, Seth, really. My father is right.”

“I haven’t seen my son in two months. I believe he and I will take a walk around the nursery.”

Sophie gave Seth a long, tight-lipped look, and retreated from the room.

“Oh, my,” Jem said. “She’ll let my father know. She always does.”

“Darling, this isn’t your father’s child. It’s ours. Why does he have anything to say about when we hold him?”

“You know how he worries. He wants the best for his only grandson.”

Charley stopped reaching for his mother and stared up into Seth’s face.

“Look, he remembers you.”

Seth made a scoffing sound, but Jem saw he looked pleased. “He’s far too young. I’m glad he’s letting me hold him, though. So, other than this dire illness that has him at death’s door, he appears to be thriving.”

Jem sighed. “You shouldn’t tease me, Seth. Ima Caldwell—do you remember her? She said her sister’s husband’s niece lost both of her little boys last winter—one to diphtheria, and the other to pneumonia. And Amy Wiley’s whole family is ill.”

Seth sobered and kissed Charley’s head, holding him a little closer. “It’s terrible. I can’t imagine what they’ve suffered. But Charley is healthy. God has blessed us. Let’s thank Him for it, instead of borrowing trouble.”

“Y—yes. I do, of course.”

She shook her head. It was the sort of comment Sally had been prone to make lately. Seth had been no believer when they met; he’d gone to church only to please Jem and her family. But something had changed over the last year. Seth had changed.

When he was home, he attended church on Sundays as well as a Bible study on Wednesday. He led prayer at mealtimes, even if it was only the two of them sitting at the long polished dining table. She tried to act like it was normal behavior—after all, she was the one who’d been brought up in the faith—but it was really rather embarrassing.

“There, you see, Jem? He just needed a little walk.” Charley was settled against his father’s chest. His face had relaxed, his eyes closed in sleep.

Jem plucked a cloth from the chest of drawers and swiped at the path of drool running down the baby’s chin. “You do remember about this part, don’t you?”

Seth gave her a wry smile. “I tried to forget. I go through fewer shirts riding on top of the stage coach. Well, I suppose I should put him down.”

Jem arranged the soft blankets in the crib. After Seth laid Charley on them, they stood side by side, admiring their little boy. “Isn’t he beautiful? I think he’s the prettiest baby in St. Paul.”

Seth slid his arm around her waist. “By far the handsomest, anyway.” He sighed then. “Is your father at home today? I need to discuss some things with him. I didn’t see him at the Reynolds’s tea.”

“He said he had business to attend to today. I’m not sure whether he’s at home or at the office. But, Seth, can’t it wait? You’ve just gotten home. Can’t we spend the rest of the afternoon together?”

She looked up at him as she finished the question, and was surprised to see the grim expression on his face.

“I’m afraid not, Jem,” he said. “I’m sorry; I know I just got home. But I have to handle some business.”

She gave him a quick pout, making sure to smile with her eyes so he knew she was teasing. “It’s a shame, when a man would rather spend his homecoming with his father-in-law than with his wife.”

Seth didn’t smile back, but he kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll be home in a couple of hours. We’ll have dinner together—just the two of us, all right?

Jem wrapped her arms around his waist and accepted his embrace. “Hurry back. I’m sure my father will be glad to see you, anyway.”

Still Counting 1000 Gifts

2012-01-23T12:56:00.000-05:00

I'm still counting and I don't plan to quit until I reach at least a thousand. Click the button at the bottom of my post if you'd like to join in.

82. Enjoyed the retirement of my boss and friend of 35 years. It's been great to work with him all this time.

83. The opportunity to learn to work with a new boss.

84. Blessed with a wonderful quiet weekend at home.

85. Completed reading a book and starting another one.

86. So thankful I was taught to read and learned to love it so much.

87. Thankful for the teachers who taught me to love a good story by reading aloud to us.

88. Thankful for a mother who loved to read and took us kids to the library all the time so we could read as much as we wanted.

89. Thankful for my youngest daughter who is learning to go along with the flow, even when things don't go as planned.

90. Enjoyed time with my youngest to watch a movie together that she got for Christmas. So fun laughing together and just being in the room together.

91. Missing my oldest but thankful to know she is okay because of all her posts on FB and sometimes her texts with nothing more than a Good Morning. Glad to know she is thinking about me sometimes.

92. Thankful that my parents raised us to always be in church and the same for my husband. Makes it seem strange when we have to cancel services because of the weather and we can't go to church. So glad to feel that way because it is so engrained to be there and worship together as a church.

93. Blessed to know that we can worship him anywhere and not just at church.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2012-01-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? If you were a contestant what would your talent be?

I watched part of it and participated in a blog party which was kinda fun...well until my computer died. Probably my talent would be singing or playing the piano.

2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake?

I don't have any houseplants real or fake right now. I do have a real plant in my office, but I'm about to kill that...which explains why I don't have any at home. I've killed them all.

3. When you were in school did you speak up or were you more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on you type of student?
Depends on what was going on. If I knew the answer, I was glad to answer it, if not, then I'd tried to avoid eye contact.

4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year...what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food?

Broccoli and chicken with steamed rice.

5. How would you define a miracle? What would it take for you to consider something a miracle?
A miracle is something that can only be done by God's power. I think even the very fact that we get up every morning breathing is a miracle because we couldn't do that without the power of God. I believe the greatest miracle of all is that He loves me and He saved me.

6. What's your favorite Disney song? If you're stuck you'll find a list here.

I don't know if I'd say it's my favorite, but I think this is a really fun song. I love so many that I really can't pick a favorite.

7. I should have _____________ yesterday.

done some laundry

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I joined Weight Watchers tonight. Hoping I can finally get some of this weight off.

Still Counting One Thousand Gifts

2012-01-16T21:13:00.000-05:00

Yes I'm still counting and I don't intend to quit until I reach a thousand. Hopefully by then it will be so engrained in me I'll never quit.

73. I've been blessed to have the same job for 35 years and I've worked with our current police chief during that entire time. He was a sergeant when I started and has been the chief for over 24 years. He's retiring this week and I know I'm going to miss him, but I'm so thankful to have been allowed to work with him all they years. He's a great Chief and more importantly a great man.

74. Saw a beautiful sunrise this morning. The skies were a beautiful pink. I wish I would have taken a picture.

75. Kelli has been home for a month and it's been wonderful. We took her to the air port this morning (which is why I saw the sunrise) and she flew back to school at 7:00 AM. I've talked to her and she is back safe and sound. God is so good.

76.Spending some time in the evening with Kelli just sitting and watching some great movies together.

77. Trying to speak some words of encouragement and wisdom to each girl and knowing God has some wonderful plans for each of their lives. Praying they will seek Him with all their heart.

78. Fun times shopping together and eating together (all 4 of us). Now we're back to 3 here and 1 there, but knowing that God is with all of us.

79. Having free time today to finish a good book.

80. Visiting at the rehabilitation center with my 87 year old Aunt and watching her and my dad (her 83 year old brother) interacting together and hoping to some day at those ages do that with my brothers and sisters.

81. So blessed to still have both of my parents still her and in relative good health and still being able to learn so much from both of them. And finally learning what a treasure they are and how much God has blessed us through them.

Why don't you click the button below and join in counting your blessings too.

This and That Thursday

2012-01-12T19:30:00.001-05:00

Just sharing some things that have occurred this last week that I actually got my camera out for. I haven't been taking many pictures lately, but I'm trying to start to take some more now. So anyway, here's some this and that.

The girls got free passes to go see the new 3D version of Beauty and the Beast and while they were there this is what we did. Had breakfast in McDonald's and played on our Kindle Fires. I think we all had fun.

This is the little theater they went to. Isn't it cute?

I thought this building looked neat. It was close to the theater. You see we also had to wait in the car for a bit when we left McDonalds.

This is the town where we went. It is such a neat looking city.

This is my new Vera Bradley.

It snowed today and I ran outside at work to get a picture. This is my kind of snow. Sticks to the trees and grass, but not the streets and sidewalks.

I took this picture through the windshield while driving. I was at a red light.

And that is the end of my Thursday full of this and that. Hope you enjoyed.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2012-01-11T00:01:00.001-05:00

Click the Hodgepodge button to join in and play along.
1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English in 2012-

amazing, baby bump, shared sacrifice, occupy, blowback, man cave, the new normal, pet parent, win the future, trickeration, ginormous, and thank you in advance.

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Go here to read more about how the words are chosen.
Trickeration??? Never heard of this one. I personally don't care for baby bump. It's just personal preference. Why not just say baby or pregnant?

2. Are you easily embarrassed?
Sometimes.

3. What is your go-to snack?
Oreo cookies
4. Have you ever been to Washington D.C.? If not do you have any desire to go? What site/attraction would you most want to see in that city? If you have been, what's your favorite site/attraction?
I went as chaperone on my daughter's 8th grade trip. I love DC and hope to go back again some day. I'd love to tour the White House and Library of Congress and see the Aerospace part of the Smithsonian. My favorite attraction that I've been to is Lincoln's Monument. I love it and just so much want to climb up and sit in his lap. Somehow I think that would be greatly frowned upon.

5. sit ups-planks-lunges-squats...which do you hate the least?
I hate them all equally!! Definitely no favoritism being shown on my part.

6. What's a small act of kindness you were shown that you've never forgotten?
On my wedding day a friend unexpectedly loaned me a beautiful diamond necklace (made from her mother's rings) to wear. I had no idea and it looked perfect with my dress. I'll never forget her kindness.

7. Have you ever been a blood donor?
Yes I have, but not for quite awhile. Although, I did just have a blood test today and it sure seemed like they took a lot. :)

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I worked 15 hours on Tuesday...sure does make for a loooong day. But the extra money sure will be nice.

Still Counting One Thousand Gifts

2012-01-09T06:00:00.002-05:00

I'm still counting my blessings and I've got a long ways to get to 1,000. But my God has so richly blessed me and I can never thank Him enough.

66. Enjoying watching "One Night with the King" as I just finished reading Esther in my morning devotions.

67. I'm thankful I'm relearning to knit, even though I haven't spent much time at it lately, but hopefully will pick it up soon again.

68. I'm thankful for my friend who always talks me into trying new things. She's the one who started me blogging three years ago.

69. I'm thankful for the home God has given us. A place where I can go for peace and rest. A place where I can just be me. A place where I don't have to change to please others.

70. I'm thankful for a husband who never tries to change me, but just always loves me.

71. So thankful for the opportunity to go out with my husband to dinner at Outback, using a gift certificate he got for Christmas. Talk about a nice gift; dinner with just the 2 of us and it didn't cost us anything! That's what I call the good life. :)

72. A wonderful day of worship and a nice long nap this afternoon.

Why don't you click on the One Thousand Gifts Button above and join in counting all the blessings of God in your life. You won't regret, looking back on your week and remembering the wonderful things He's done for you. Some are small and some are huge, but it's good to remember them all.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2012-01-04T06:00:00.001-05:00

Click the button above to join in for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011?
Better than 2010

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared?
Yes I like deep-fried shrimp with tartar sauce.

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down?

Yes, all except one wreath and I have to get something to store it in so it won't get broken.

4. Do you like to watch scary movies?
Absolutely not!!!!

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy?
I haven't gone sledding since I was a kid. I've never skied or snowboarded. I used to ice skate, but it's been probably 15 years or more since I've done that. But I loved ice skating when I did it.

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it.
No not really, other than when I would read, it was like I was in another world...does that count?

7. What's a place or space that motivates you?
Motivates me for what? I don't know.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I ordered a new Vera Bradley Purse yesterday. I can't wait to get it.

Praise

2012-01-03T12:02:00.000-05:00

The other day I posted that my word for 2012 is "Praise" and I quoted a scripture from Psalms about God inhabiting praise. I was talking to my husband about this scripture and he is the one who helped me find it. Then he also directed me to this blog post at "Ron's Thoughts on Scripture and Life." I'm so glad he did. He shared a song from the Imperials about praise and that God inhabits the praise of His people and he said He was praying to God and felt God told him to "Praise me and see if I show up." Pretty simple isn't it? Just try it and see if it's true. I know it's true because the Bible says so. But I say I want more of God in my life and it seems to me this is a good way to have Him.

So in 2012 I plan to be more deliberate in my praise. I will continue with my 1000 Gifts/Blessings list which makes me want to say thank you and praise him. I plan to listen to praise and worship music more and to keep looking for Him throughout my day and trying to see Him at work, even in the small things. I think this is my New Year's Resolution (if you want to call it that).

Jesus, I praise You for who You are and for all You've done for me and I ask You to help me keep focused on You in 2012 and see You at work in my life and to remind me to praise You in all things. Amen

A Life Restored (Prescott Pioneers 3) by Karen Baney

2012-01-02T16:30:00.000-05:00

Wickenburg, Arizona Territory

August 19, 1865

   The stagecoach bounced over the rough terrain. Caroline Larson tried not to slide into the man sitting next to her on the hard, bare wood seat. The least they could have done was put some upholstering on the thing. Then she would not be jostled so much from the side against the window to the poor young man next to her.

   Another jolt of the Celerity stagecoach shoved her into his side once again.

   “Sorry,” she murmured, glancing at the young man.

   “No harm, Miss.” A smirk played on his lips causing the jagged scar on his right cheek to wrinkle unattractively. She wondered how he got the scar. The hint of laughter in his voice indicated he was enjoying this.

   Caroline stifled a snort of disgust as she turned to look out the opening with a small canvas cover secured to the top of the window frame. The dust billowing up from the front wheels obscured much of the view, filtering into the interior of the stage. The small town—if one could call it that—of Wickenburg faded behind them. The only good thing about facing the rear of the stage was that she did not have to endure a face full of dust with each breath.

   The stage jerked violently, propelling the man across from her forward, landing awkwardly in her lap. She turned her shocked green eyes towards him, narrowing them slightly until the red of embarrassment tinged his cheeks. He offered profuse apologies as he tried to return to his designated seat.

   She should have listened to Millie. She and her father had acted as chaperones, escorting Caroline west. Unfortunately, their travels ended in Wickenburg. Millie and her father assured her they would take her the rest of the way to Prescott by mid-September. But, she had come this far and did not want to wait another month or more before being reunited with her brother Adam and her best friend Julia.

   As the stage crossed over a huge bump, sending Caroline airborne for a few seconds, her mind returned to her present circumstance. Despite Millie’s concern, she boarded the stage this morning headed for Prescott. Things were just fine. She could handle the inquisitive looks of these men.

   Abruptly, the stage skidded to a halt, propelling Caroline into the arms of the man across from her. Her almost apology died on the tip of her tongue.

   “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

   Rifle fire echoed in her ears. Her head snapped towards the window. The driver fell from his perch on the front of the stage. As she jerked forward, the young man with scar clasped his hand down on her arm. She turned her eyes toward him. He lifted a finger to his lips and shook his head. He pushed her back against the seat, out of the view of the window.

   “What’d ya do that fer?” another voice sounded.

   “I told him not to reach for his gun.”

   Caroline froze. The stage was being robbed!

   “Y’all come out slow like,” the first man shouted.

   “Miss,” the man with the scar whispered. “Let me go first to make sure it’s safe for you.”

   A lump formed in her throat. She watched as he exited the stage. Maybe she had been too quick to judge him earlier.

   “How many more of you are in there?” the first robber’s voice asked.

   “Just four more,” the man with the scar answered.

   That was not true. There were four more men. And her. What was he doing?

   “Come out nice and slow.”

   The rest of the men did as instructed. Caroline hesitated in the shadows, wondering if the scar-faced man—now she wished she would have asked his name—was trying to protect her. Tapping her finger against her temple rapidly, she tried to figure a way out of this situation. Scanning the landscape offered no solutions. Nothing but vast open desert presented itself. There was no place to hide.

   For the first time in her eighteen years, Caroline had no solution. No plan.

   “Bart!” the first robber yelled. “Check out the stage. Make sure no one else is lurking around.”

   She heard the distinct sound of a man dismounting a horse. Moments later, shuffling feet sounded just outside of the stagecoach door. Flattening herself into the shadows as much as possible, Caroline wished she had not worn her bright yellow dress this morning. Her dark green would serve much better to hide her now.

   “Looksee here,” Bart said with a broken toothed smile. “Come here missy.”

   He leaned in and caught hold of her foot.

   “Unhand me,” she said before realizing she had destroyed any hope of hiding her presence from Bart’s boss.

   As Bart tugged harder on her ankle, she slid off the seat, landing with a thud on the floor of the stage. Kicking his face with her other foot, she freed herself long enough to make a somewhat graceful exit. Bart’s beefy arms clamped around her shoulders as soon as her feet hit the ground. He shuffled her to the line of passengers.

   Bart flung her toward the scarred man who helped her earlier. The force was so hard she lost her balance and landed at his feet with a whimper. When he knelt to help her up, the robber cocked his pistol, stopping him in mid-crouch. All she could see was the scar on the passenger’s face as she tried to control her breathing. It wasn’t as noticeable now as it had been before. For some reason, she found that comforting.

   The air rushed from Robert Garrett’s lungs. In all his life he had never been this lucky. There was no mistaking those flashing green eyes. The young woman Bart just pulled from the stage was definitely Caroline Larson.

   As his lackey, Bart, pushed her forward, she fell at one of the passenger’s feet. Robert cocked his gun, leveling it at the passenger.

   “I think she can stand on her own,” he said, covering his momentary shock.

   When the passenger made no further move to help her, Robert pointed his gun at Caroline. His sinister smile hid behind the red bandana covering his face. She straightened with that defiant look she always had etched haughtily on her face. He would relish wiping that expression away later. He had to finish the business at hand first.

   He spoke with an exaggerated accent to further disguise his identity, not that Caroline would recognize his true identity if she saw his full face. “Now, I want y’all to empty your pockets of all yer valuables and place ‘em in the bag Bart has. We don’t want no trouble, so just do as yer told. Otherwise, I might decide to empty my pistol into this little gal.”

   Robert plotted his next move, while Bart went down the line taking all the valuables from each of the passengers, including Caroline Larson. He hated her blasted brother, Adam, almost as much as he hated Will Colter. Almost. Patience. You’ll have your revenge soon enough.

   A slow plan was always much better than a hurried one. In fact, robbing this stage had been a bit hurried—it’s how he ended up doing it himself, instead of hiring it out. It was a dangerous move to get his hands dirty. After this, he would distance himself from the execution of his plans. Too risky. But, if he hadn’t been here, he wouldn’t have seen Caroline and the ideas taking shape in his head would be a missed opportunity.

   First things first. He had to finish this job then rendezvous with his other men. He would have his associate pay off Bart before taking the stage horses to La Paz to sell. He would instruct his associate to return to the stagecoach, where he would leave Caroline alive, and have his associate fetch her and take her to the small shack on the outskirts of his property. He’d let the men have fun with her, as long as they kept her alive. He needed her if he was going to ransom her for money.

   Oh, Adam Larson wouldn’t have anywhere near enough funds to rescue her. That would be part of the fun. And it would be what would force Will Colter to get involved.

   The best part was that no one would have any idea he was involved in any of this. He would clean up, shave, and change into his fine clothes after his meeting with his associate. Then he would head back into Wickenburg and spend the night at the hotel before heading out to Prescott tomorrow as the respectable Robert Garrett.

   Inwardly, the swell of anticipation for the next phase of his revenge sent giddy shivers up and down his spine. He would come back despite all that Colter and Larson took from him and he would do it while destroying them.

   When Bart stopped in front of her, Caroline realized she would need to part with her items as well. Slowly she unfastened the broach her mother gave her and let it slip into the bag. Then she emptied her reticule, thankful she had taken the time to discretely hide half of her money elsewhere on her person this morning.

   Once the man had a full bag, he began dumping luggage from the back of the stage, littering things everywhere. He picked through her trunk, strewing her clothing on the dusty ground. Finding nothing of worth there, he went to the next trunk. After several minutes ticked by, he announced he was finished with his search.

   Then the boss man dismounted his horse. He came straight towards her. With a small bandana in his hands, he shoved her over to one side of the stage.

   “What are you doing?” the scarred man asked, making a move towards the robber.

   The robber turned and shot him.

   Caroline gasped as the man’s body fell limp in a pool of blood. As his face relaxed, the scar became almost invisible. A tear trickled down her cheek.

   “Any more questions?” the robber asked. When no one moved, he added, “Good.”

   He turned her back towards him, pushing her face into the side of the coach. She tried to struggle, but stopped when he pressed the barrel of his pistol against her neck. When she stilled, he yanked her hands behind her back and tied them together with the bandana. Then he shoved her to the ground.

   “Stay,” he commanded. “And don’t give me no trouble.”

   Her heart pounded loudly in her ears as she watched helplessly. He unhitched the team of four horses from the stagecoach. He barked another command to Bart, who then led the remaining four men to the other side of the stage.

   At the first rifle shot, Caroline jumped. Looking through the undercarriage, she saw two of the men who sat across from her lying in a heap on the ground. Blood soaked their clothing and the odd angle of their bodies suggested they died from the same shot. Two more rapid rapports of a pistol were followed by the harsh thud of another man hitting the ground.

   Tears streamed down her face as she heard the pleas of the last man. The echo of a rifle cut off his cries. Glancing over to the other side of the coach, she saw his body land on the others.

   Quickly, she looked away. Fear squeezed her heart. She would be next.

   Raising her knees to her chest, she buried her face in the folds of her skirt, as well as she could with her hands still tied behind her back. Lord, help. I shouldn’t have lied to papa. But, I need you. I don’t want to die.

   The sound of men mounting their horses brought her eyes up.

   “Boss, ain’t ya fergetting something?” Bart asked.

   The robber turned dark eyes on her. “Naw. I ain’t about to kill a woman. Let her be.”

   “We just gonna leave her?”

   “Yeah. Desert will kill her soon ‘nough.”

   Those were the last words she heard before the robber’s loud “Yaw” forced the unhitched stage horses into motion between him and Bart.

   Caroline stared after their dust cloud for what seemed like hours, still stunned that she had come out of the ordeal unscathed.

   When she was certain they were gone, she stood, arms still tied behind her back. Looking around, she found a rough metal edge to the harness system on the front of the stage. Kneeling awkwardly, she rubbed the bandana against the metal until her hands were free.

   Flexing her fingers in front of her, she stopped short at the blood on them. Reaching down to her petticoat, she ripped off a strip and wrapped her cut left hand.

   Her stomach revolted at the thought of what she must do next. Taking a few deep breaths, she walked toward the scar-faced man. Crouching down beside him, she searched for any sign of life. There was none. She didn’t even get to thank him. She wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her dress.

   Caroline proceeded to the other side of the stagecoach. Three of the men’s bodies were piled one on top of the other. She wasn’t strong enough to move the first to check on the other two, though she could see no evidence that any survived.

   The last man lay prostrate nearby. As she approached, she thought she heard him groan. When she kneeled next to him, his body shook violently. She managed to turn him over just as the last spark of life slipped from his eyes.

   Jumping to her feet, she staggered to the other side of the wagon. Sinking to her knees, she let the tears fall down her face. Her stomach roiled at all she witnessed. Crawling on her hands and knees she moved only a few feet before she lost the contents of her stomach.

   Wiping the back of her hand across her mouth, she despaired. Was she going to die before ever reaching Prescott?

   Then the guilt settled in. If only she had stayed in Texas and married Nathan Finley. She wouldn’t be in this fine mess.

My Thoughts: Book 3 in the Prescott Pioneer's series is just as good as #1 and #2. Again the characters were well written as was the story-line. Like so many of us Thomas keeps trying to live a better life in order to get past his bad mistakes in the past. It took him awhile before he finally learned, the only true way to change is to let Christ change you. Caroline, too had to learn to trust in God and not herself. Makes you realize that in Christ all things are possible. I think one of my favorite parts of the book though was reading about Betty and Ben. I love their story. This book is very good and I recommend reading this whole series. I don't think you'll be disappointed, if you do.

Word for 2012 and Still Counting 1000 Gifts

2012-01-01T18:03:00.000-05:00

On this first day of 2012 I've been thinking. Kind of scary right? I've been thinking about what my word for 2012 might be. 2011 my word was trust. 2010 was an extremely hard year for our family and in 2011 I was trying to learn to trust God through all things. 2011 was a much better year and the Lord has blessed us so much. I believe I've learned to trust Him more, although I know I have a lot further to go.

I think for 2012 my word will be praise. I just want to praise God for all He has done, is doing and will continue to do in our lives. A scripture that comes to mind is Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." NKJV Another verse is Psalm 22:3 "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." KJV I love the thought that He inhabits our praise, which means He lives there. I love the idea of Him living in my praise which means He's really close, if I keep praising. Now I know His spirit lives in us if we are His child, but I just love this thought too.

I was considering the thought of praise this morning and then after church we got some upsetting news about some friends. I thought some more and realized that even in the bad times, I still need to praise Him. My husband and I were talking and I told Him I realized that we could have some bad things happen this year in order for me to truly learn to praise Him in the bad times. But even if that happens, I know that He is in control and He will be with us as He always has been, so I plan to try to praise Him anyway.I know I'll have failures, but I know He will continually remind me to praise Him through it all.

I think this also goes along with the Multitudes on Mondays I've been participating in, where we count 1000 gifts or blessings from God. It would be hard to count the blessings and not praise Him at the same time.

61. a wonderful Christmas celebration with our family, my family, my husband's family and our church family.
62. getting a Kindle Fire, which I am learning to love
63. being reminded that we have been given the greatest blessing of all, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ - the very best that God has He gave to us in order to redeem our soul.
64. Extra days off during the holiday to run around and rest and relax and spend time with my family at home.
65. Finally having all the Christmas decorations put away (I love them, but I'm always glad to get my house back in order).

Why don't you click on the One Thousand Gifts Button above and join in counting all the blessings of God in your life. You won't regret, looking back on your week and remembering the wonderful things He's done for you. Some are small and some are huge, but it's good to remember them all.

Life This Week Between Christmas and New Years

2011-12-30T08:49:00.003-05:00

Things are quiet around our house this week after Christmas. Hubby and I are back to work, but we've been coming home in the evenings and just relaxing. The girls have been watching some movies and listening to music (with headphones on...Yay!). Tracy and I have been playing with our new Kindle Fires and trying to learn about them. I think I'm gonna like it. I watched a movie on it last night laying in bed and that was fun. I'm also reading "The Help" on it. I got it from our local library who now lends out ebooks.

A couple girlfriends and I are considering opening an Etsy Shop together and have been kicking around some ideas of things we could make and sell. Have you ever heard of Zentangle (no I'm not into Zen)? I hadn't until yesterday when Cathy G. told me about it. It's kinda cool and I think you could do some really neat things with it. Basically, Zentangle is doodling, only in a deliberate kind of way.

Kerri received a gift certificate from Hobby Lobby for Christmas so she's been wanting to go. Plans are to have Chinese for dinner then head to Hobby Lobby ( for some pens, crimper clamps for some jewelry stuff I want to try to make, etc) and then back home for a quiet night of crafting and whatever else we might get in to. Sounds like a good night to me. Here's a Video if you want to see what Zentangle is.

Have a great day everyone!

Trying Something New

2011-12-29T06:00:00.001-05:00

I wanted to take off the Christmas background and try something new. I'm getting a little tired of the Castle (not in real life, but just on my blog). So for now, I won't be using a picture until I can figure out what I want. I thought this background was kind of cute though.

What do you think? Do you have any ideas for me?

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-12-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

1. Share something you loved about your Christmas Day.
We had a really nice Christmas Day and I enjoyed most all of it. We slept in a little late, then opened gifts with the girls. Then we got ready and went to church and had a really nice service. Lots of Christmas Carols and a short sermon. Very nice time of worship. Then we went home and had a few minutes to relax and then we went to my husband's parents' home and had lunch and then opened gifts there. My nephews brought their guitars and played a few songs for us and then we just relaxed and talked and had a great afternoon.

2. You get to put five items in a time capsule to be opened in 100 years, what items would you choose and why?
1 - some pictures of my family...so people will know what we look like
2 - a short bio on each of us...so people will know who we are
3 - a Bible...so people will know what we believe and who we believe in
4 - an iPod with some really good music, to show what we listened to and a little of what our technology is like right now
5 - some pictures of our home inside and out...to show people where and how we live

3. What do you like on a cracker?
peanut butter or cheeseball

4. Do you make resolutions at the start of a new year? How'd that work out for you this past year?
No I usually don't.

5. What's a song or song lyric you'll associate with 2011?
Sorry, but I really can't think of any particular one.

6. How will you ring in the new year?
We haven't made plans yet. Probably we'll go to my parents early in the evening and then come home and watch a movie or something and will probably be in bed early. Yeah, I know that sounds boring, but with hubby being a pastor we have to be up early and at church the next morning, bright eyed and bushy tailed.

7. What is something you look forward to in 2012?
Hopefully, just being healthy and having a great year and growing closer to each other and to the Lord. We haven't planned vacations or any special activities as of yet.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
My husband and I took our Christmas Gift money and each purchased a Kindle Fire. I haven't decided if I like it yet or not. I like a lot of the features, but I've found it is heavier by quite a bit than the other Kindle we had. Of course, we just got them last night, so I haven't had much time to mess with it yet. So right now, the verdict is still out on the Fire. But my oldest is going to take my old Kindle to school with her and I know if I decide I like it better than the Fire, I can always switch with her at the end of the school year.

Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt & Denise Hunter

2011-12-27T19:46:00.001-05:00

This book is actually 4 stories brought together in one. It is written by four favorite Christian fiction authors; Colleen Coble, Kristen Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter. They each wrote about one character in one section of the book. My understanding is that the main characters that they wrote about portray some of their own characteristics. They did a really good job of writing their character’s story but then blending each of the other characters in too.

The main story is about 4 really good friends who live in the town of Smitten, Vermont. The logging mill has just been closed and everyone is afraid the town will die, now that the main form of employment is gone. These 4 friends devise a plan to attempt to save the town. The stories then go on with how each one tries to implement their part and how they find true love in the process.

I really don’t want to tell a lot more about the story, because I really don’t want to give anything away. I will tell you it is written very well, and each woman’s love story is really fun to read.

I also totally loved reading about small town life in Vermont. Each story is written in a different season of the year, so by the end, you have read about the entire year in the life of the town. I enjoyed imaging each of the seasons, such as: skiing and ice skating in the winter, roller skating in the summer, working on a Christmas Tree Farm in the winter.

I really enjoyed this book a lot and highly recommend you reading it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Christmas Day

2011-12-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday Jesus

and

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Plans for the Day - Updated 7:45pm

2011-12-23T10:32:00.003-05:00

I'm on a mini Christmas Vacation until Tuesday and I think today is going to be a fun day. Here are our plans so far.

1. Heading to Union Terminal in Cincinnati to see the Duke Energy Train Display.
2. Trying a chili restaurant we've never been to but was on the Travel Channel, Man vs Food Nation show. It's called Camp Washington Chili.
3. Then the girls and I are going to a movie. Either "Arthur Christmas" or "We Bought a Zoo." Any thoughts on which is best?

First we went to try the chili restaurant. Camp Washington Chili. I got a roast beef sandwich & fries that were out of this world. Everybody else tried the chili and said it was really good. We talked to the owner when we were checking out and he said they had been there since 1940. It was just a simple place, but had good food and we really enjoyed it. Here's a couple pictures.

Camp Washington Chili from the parking lot

This is their Christmas tree in the front of the restaurant.

Next we went to Union Terminal and saw the Christmas Train Display. The place was packed and we did a lot of waiting but it was a lot of fun. We also decided to go to the Omnimax and see the Rocky Mountain Express which was about the train that was built across Canada in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Wow! The scenery was beautiful, but it made me a little dizzy and nauseous, so I had to keep my eyes closed a lot of the time during the second half. But it was still fun. Here are some pictures.

This is the front of the Terminal. This is where all the trains used to come into Cincinnati and it's now a Museum Center. There's a History Museum, a Children's Museum, and an Omnimax Theater.. It is an absolutely beautiful place.

The big window in the main lobby of the terminal.

Here's a small section of the mural in the lobby area.

Here's part of the train display. This is a model of Cincinnati.

This is part of the Christmas display

Here's where they run all the model trains in the Christmas Part of the Display.

Here's one of the many lines of waiting we were in.

Here are the girls waiting in line.

This was a fun bunch of Christmas Carolers inside the Museum.

Kelli playing "pull my finger" with this flat-engineer guy directing us to the Christmas Trains.


Thomas the Train in the Christmas display. Didn't even know I got a picture of him until I posted it here.

With all the crowds and waiting in line and then watching the Omnimax Movie, we didn't make it to see Arthur's Christmas or the Zoo movie. Maybe another day!

Hope you enjoyed our trip to Union Terminal. I know we did.

Merry Christmas.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Click the button to join us playing Hodgepodge. It's fun!

1. Are you cooking Christmas dinner? How many will be round your table this year? What are we having?
No, I'm not cooking Christmas dinner. I will, however, probably make something to take to both Christmas Dinner at my in-laws on Christmas and something for Christmas Eve at my brother's house. I think my dad is making ham for the Christmas Eve celebration and I know I'm bringing Baked Beans and possibly chocolate chip cookies. Don't know yet about Christmas Day. There should be at least 14 of us Christmas Eve and 10 of us on Christmas Day.

2. What is one must-have Christmas cookie in your house?
Chocolate Chip for me. Hubby would probably say no-bakes or iced sugar cookies. The girls like them all, although they really aren't big cookie eaters.

3. Santa likes a glass of milk with his cookies. Do you? What kind of milk is on tap at your house-skim? almond? soy? full fat (Gasp!)
Kelli, Tracy and I all like milk and Kerri would be more of the almond milk type. She has never liked milk.

4. Time magazine recently named their 'Person of the Year' for 2011. This is the person the editors believe had the greatest impact, for better or worse, in the past year. This year they chose 'The Protester'. Your thoughts? Who would you name Person of the Year for 2011?
Any serviceman or woman who is willing to serve would be "Person of the Year" for me. Why celebrate the protestor...I don't get it.

5. December 21st is National Flashlight Day... when was the last time you needed a flashlight and did you know right where to find one?
I have an app on my iPod Touch and I use it in my room at night quite often. And yes, I usually know right where it is. It's what I use to do my morning devotions, so it sits by my bed.

6. candy canes...yum or yuck?
I can eat them, but they are really not my favorite. Although they make nice breath mints when you break them into pieces.

7. What Christmas carol lyric means the most to you?
From Mary Did You Know...."The child that you delivered will soon deliver you." I love that thought. Not only did He deliver her, but all of us who accept Him as Lord and Savior.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
God bless us everyone!

A Heart Renewed (Prescott Pioneers 2) by Karen Baney

2011-12-20T06:00:00.011-05:00

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Karen Baney

and the book:

A Heart Renewed (Prescott Pioneers 2)

Karen Baney (April 17, 2011)

***Special thanks to Karen Baney for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Karen Baney, in addition to writing Christian historical fiction and contemporary novels, works as a Software Engineer. Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs. She also holds a Masters of Business Administration from Arizona State University.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Headstrong. Unconventional. Until life turns upside down…

Julia Colter struggles to accept life under her controlling brother’s greed. The suitors he selects would benefit him, but are far from the ideal husband for her. When her rebellion against her brother puts her life at risk, she turns to her friend for help.

Adam Larson longs to train horses and plans to head west to the Arizona Territory to see his dreams fulfilled. When his sister’s best friend shows up in the middle of the night, he agrees to help her flee. The decision changes his life, in more ways than he expected.

Can Julia forget the pain from her past and open her heart to love?

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99

Paperback: 338 pages
Publisher: Karen Baney (April 17, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0983548625
ISBN-13: 978-0983548621

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Star C Ranch, Texas
July 4, 1864

   “You cannot be serious, Reuben!” Julia Colter shouted, not caring that she might wake her niece and nephew from their afternoon nap. Pacing back and forth across the length of the kitchen, she stopped in front of her older brother, her temper flaring almost as hot as the stove. “He is balding and fat and twice my age!”

   “You will marry who I say!” Reuben thundered. “I expect you to treat Mr. Hiram Norton with the upmost respect this evening. He has shown great interest in you and the least you can do is be civil with the man.”

   “But, I could never love him!”

   As Reuben shoved her violently up against the wall, Julia’s breath left her lungs in a rush. Digging his fingers into her arms, she could feel the bruises starting to form. His brown eyes darkened with unrestrained anger as he glared down at her. She swallowed in fear, stunned by his abrupt action.

   “Stop, you’re hurting me,” she said, trying to break free from his vice like grip.

   He raised his hand as if he meant to strike her—something he had never done before. The action startled her to silence. Instead of hitting her across the face, as she thought he might, Reuben returned his hands to her upper arms squeezing even harder.

   Leaning so close the heat of his breath warmed her cheeks, he said, “You have no idea what hurt is, Julia. You are an insolent little whelp. You will paste a smile on that tart little face of yours. And you will do your best to win his affections or,” his voice menacing, “you will suffer my wrath, the likes of which you have yet to see.”

   Releasing his hold, he pushed her so that she tumbled to the floor in a heap. As he turned to walk away, he added in a sinister tone, “It would be best if you get used to the idea of Hiram Norton and give up fanciful notions of love, dear sister. You will not have that luxury. The sooner you come to accept that, the better it will go for you.”

   She sat in stunned silence as Reuben stalked to his office down the hall. Tears streaming down her face, Julia bolted to her feet, running out the front door of the ranch house to the nearby stables, still frightened by her brother’s brutal behavior.

   The smell of hay and horse assaulted her delicate senses as she selected a gentle mare. Throwing her saddle on the horse’s back, she led her from the barn. Once under the open blue skies, she shoved one foot into the stirrup, swinging her other leg over the mare, riding astride. Nudging the mare into a full gallop, Julia fled to the one place she would always feel free—the back of a horse in the wide open pastures.

   Reuben may be her guardian now, but she had only to endure a few more years of this before she would be of age and in control of her life. If only she could stop him from marrying her off before then.

   At seventeen, she considered herself too young to get married, though many women her age and younger married. She wasn’t ready. She didn’t pine for the responsibilities marriage entailed. She liked her freedom. But, when she was ready to marry, she would marry for love and not because Reuben wished it.

   Certainly, she would never marry Hiram Norton. The thirty-seven year old rancher was the exact opposite of what Julia wanted for a husband. His short stature and fading hairline made him look even older. He had a reputation for loving excess. When it came to food, his waistline showed the results of that love. There were other unsavory aspects to his reputation as well which included rumors that he frequented the saloon and brothel.

   No, the man for Julia would be young and handsome. His character would be impeccable, his honor undeniable. Land, money, and wealth held no importance to her. She only cared that her dream man would be able to provide for her and their family.

   As the wind tangled her long, sandy brown curls, she continued to press the horse for more speed—needing it to soothe her fear and anger. In the distance she saw the herd of longhorns kicking up dust. The sight sparked a memory of Will, the kinder, more honorable of the Colter brothers, sending her mind racing in another direction. So many times he’d taken Julia out to the pasture, teaching her how to rope, ride, and work with the cattle. Some thought such behavior unacceptable for a lady. She was glad to learn these skills. Should her handsome young dream man end up being a rancher, he might appreciate her ability to work the ranch by his side.

   Why hasn’t Will written? The thought of Will brought fresh tears as memories of his hasty departure flooded her mind. Not only had she buried her father, but she also lost the brother she was close to—all within a few short weeks. Almost a year ago, following her father’s death, Reuben forced Will to leave the ranch when he had been deeded the house and ranch. While Will and Reuben both received half of the herd and the financial holdings, Will was left with no home or land. Unable to find anything close, Will moved to the Arizona Territory, leaving Julia behind. Alone.

   The only time she heard from him was in November 1863. Will wrote that he, his men, and his cattle arrived safely and set up their new home near the Granite Creek settlement in the Arizona Territory—wherever that was. No other letters came.

   Despite the thirteen year age difference between Will and Julia, they adored each other. She followed him everywhere, never far from his side even when he worked with the herd. When she needed protecting, it was Will who came to her defense.

   Oh, how she could use his protection now. If he were here, he would stop Reuben from forcing her to marry that awful Hiram Norton.

   But, he wasn’t here. He was in a distant territory, far from Texas, far from her aid. Her father left her in Reuben’s care—not Will’s—even though Will would have been the better choice as far as Julia was concerned.

   Their father never saw the evil that clouded Reuben’s heart and he knew nothing of his manipulative ways. In her father’s eyes, Reuben was as good of a son as Will. If her father knew of Reuben’s late nights in town or of his forceful tactics for bankrupting other ranchers and taking over their lands, he turned a blind eye. She found it hard to fathom that father could have missed such thinly concealed behavior.

   As the mare started to struggle for breath, sides heaving with great effort, Julia eased up the pace. She was so torn. She had thought more than once to runaway to Arizona, but was afraid Reuben would find her and drag her back. Now he wanted her to flirt with Hiram Norton and get him to marry her. She had no desire to do what Reuben was asking. Mr. Norton may be wealthy, but he was twenty years older than her. There was something indecent in that alone. Nothing about him or his character appealed to her.

   Realizing she was nearing the outer pasture, Julia turned the mare around to head back to the ranch house. She did not want to risk angering Reuben further by being unprepared for their dinner guests. Lord, please don’t make me have to marry that repulsive man. Will always said you could work things together for good. I am not seeing much good right now. Please give me the strength to make it through this evening meal.

   As she pulled the mare to a stop in front of the stables, she slid off the horse. One of the young cowboys, Bates, took the reins from her hand.

   “Miss Colter, you best hurry,” he said, nodding toward the lane leading to the ranch house.

   A cloud of dust at the far end of the lane indicated their guests were already arriving. Julia shot a quick word of thanks to the friendly cowboy before picking up her skirts and running to the house. As she threw the door open, panting for breath, she caught Reuben’s seething look.

   Rushing down the hall she slammed her bedroom door shut. She splashed some water on her face, wiping away the dust from her ride.

   “Where have you been?” Mary’s panicked voice preceded her entrance into Julia’s room. Reuben’s normally calm, quiet wife seemed rather anxious as she picked up the corset she laid out.

   “Riding.”

   “Whatever for?” came the squeaky, agitated response.

   Julia tore off her day dress, tossing it over a chair. As Mary came to assist her with the corset, Julia took her last deep breath of the evening. She hated the confining contraption. Once the stays were tightened, she lifted her arms as Mary helped settle the lovely yellow silk down over her shoulders.

   “You should have been in here an hour ago,” Mary lamented. “Now there is no possible way we can fashion your hair into ringlets. The other women will think you don’t care about your appearance.”

   They would be correct, Julia thought. “You fret, too much,” she replied, brushing out her tangled curls. She would be content with twisting her unruly hair into a chignon, despite how much it fought against the pins.

   “Go on. I’ll finish,” she instructed Mary, hoping to have a quiet moment to compose herself before entering the fray.

   Mary hesitated for a brief moment before softly exiting the room. Taking as deep a breath as she could, Julia let it out in a heavy sigh. Undoubtedly, Hiram Norton was already here, waiting for her in the other room. Pasting a smile on her face, she squared her shoulders and left the solitude of her room.

   “Hiram,” Reuben said as Julia approached, “I do not believe you have met my sister, Julia.”

   It took every ounce of courage to hold her smile steady and extend her hand towards Mr. Norton’s rotund frame. Taking her hand, he placed a sloppy kiss on top, before asking, “Reuben, where have you been hiding this lovely filly?”

   Filly? The distasteful comment sickened her.

   “Mr. Norton, a pleasure to meet you,” Julia said with more decorum than she thought she possessed. As soon as his hold lifted, she discretely wiped the back of her hand on her dress.

   “Miss Colter, you are absolutely stunning,” he replied, allowing his lustful gaze to rove over her neckline, down her curvy figure, making overtly inappropriate stops along the way.

   She fought to tamp down her mounting abhorrence. As the guests were seated around the table, she eagerly helped Mary set out the food.

   Still irritated by Mr. Norton’s uncouth comment, she decided to fight back as she took her seat. “Mr. Norton, my brother tells me you have been very successful with your ranch, despite the Union’s blockade. Tell me, how do you do it?”

   Reuben’s eyes narrowed slightly, letting her know he caught her barely hidden sarcasm.

   “My lovely Miss Colter, such matters are too complicated for your simple mind to understand.”

   Another mark against Mr. Norton—condescension towards women, she thought, keeping the sweet smile firmly in place. Lobbing a spoonful of potatoes on her plate she waited for him to continue.

   “However, I shall endeavor to enlighten you,” he said with an air of superiority, snatching the potatoes from her hand. “While the Union may have blockaded our route to drive cattle to the New Orleans market, they have made no such effort to stop us from driving to points north or west. It seems that as long as we aren’t supplying the Confederate Army, they care little where we sell our cattle. We have simply changed our route north to the railways in Missouri. While I don’t care for the Union and their imposing ways, a profit is a profit. And I have made significant gains by being one of the first Texans to sell to eastern markets by way of Missouri.”

   “Mr. Norton.” As her irritation rose, Julia retorted, “If a large profit is to your liking, why not drive the cattle west towards the California market where prices are more than triple that of the eastern markets?”

   Reuben shifted in his chair uncomfortably. His darkening eyes warned her to hold her tongue. Julia knew she should have heeded the warning, but she preferred being forthright. Let Mr. Norton find that out now.

   Mr. Norton laughed off her question, causing her to dislike the man even more. “You are a spirited little woman, I will give you that. But your comment shows your youth and your naivety.”

   Taking not one, but two large pork chops from the platter she handed him, he said, “While the prices west are much higher, so is the cost to drive the cattle such a great distance. The length of time it takes to drive the cattle to California is almost three times as long as the northern route. It is also much more dangerous. There are many more Indians and cattle thieves westward. It would simply not be profitable to drive the herd west.”

   His snooty tone grated on her nerves. When she opened her mouth to speak, Reuben interrupted. “Perhaps, dear sister, you should leave the business matters to men. I’m sure you would be much more interested in knowing how Mrs. Withers’ new baby is faring.”

   Mrs. Withers quickly picked up the conversation, monopolizing both Julia and Mary’s time. While Julia was surprised Reuben even knew the woman had a child, she was thankful for the opportunity to ignore Mr. Norton.

   As the conversation continued, she felt something brush against her knee then move away. She kept her focus on Mrs. Withers’ overlong description of her young son and on eating the meal, until she felt the unmistakable presence of a man’s hand move above her knee. She stole a glance and confirmed Mr. Norton’s hand rested most inappropriately on her thigh. Angling her legs further away from him as discreetly as possible, Julia’s stomach churned. When Mr. Norton pressed closer, she thought she might lose her dinner. The man appeared to have no limits.

   Standing abruptly, she said, “If you’ll excuse me. I’m not feeling quite myself.” Without waiting for a reply she hurried to her room.

   Reuben scowled after his sister. Her behavior had been completely unacceptable, despite his attempt earlier in the day to reason with her. This silly idea of marrying for love must have worked its way into her thinking from the stories their father told of their mother. No one married for love.

   He certainly hadn’t. While Mary was pleasant looking enough and easy to control, he did not love his wife. He had married her to increase his social standing among the area ranchers—something his father never seemed to care about. Her father had been one of the wealthier men in the area and he was easy to win over. In fact, Reuben thought, most everyone he met was easy to manipulate—except Will and Julia.

   It didn’t matter. Will was gone and out of the picture. He was no longer a nuisance, even though it was Will’s fault that he was in such a financial mess. The timing of Will leaving with half the herd and half the financial holdings was disastrous, leaving him unable to pay debts to some very powerful men—a situation he was desperately trying to resolve.

   The last bite of his pork chop churned in his stomach as fear gained a foothold. He needed Hiram’s money from the marriage arrangement to Julia. It was his only hope of turning things around.

   As his guests finished the meal, Reuben stood. “Gentlemen, shall we retire to the front porch for some refreshments and cigars?”

   The men eagerly nodded, obviously wanting to be away from the women as quickly as he did. As Hiram stood, Reuben pulled him aside. Speaking loud enough for the others to hear, he said, “We’ll join you in a moment. Hiram and I have a few business matters to discuss.”

   Leading Hiram back towards his office, Reuben hoped Hiram would still be amiable to the agreement they discussed several days ago at the saloon, despite Julia’s less than enthusiastic attitude this evening.

   Before he offered a seat, Hiram took one, starting the conversation on his terms. “Julia is quite lovely, Reuben. You’ve been holding out on me. When you asked for such a large sum, I assumed she must be dreadful to look at.”

   “So you are pleased?”

   “To a point,” Hiram admitted. “While she’ll keep me entertained well, she needs to learn to control her tongue, especially in front of guests. I’m surprised you haven’t dealt with this already.”

   Reuben frowned. If only Hiram knew what he was up against. With any luck, he wouldn’t find out until after his wedding day. “Well, father has only been gone a short time. He doted on her, so it will take some time to get her to properly respect a man.”

   “Ah, there’s the catch. I’ll have to train her myself then.” Hiram laughed. “It will be a fun challenge—breaking her. Too bad you didn’t have more time to do the job yourself. You could get a much higher price for her, as beautiful as she is.”

   The price he was asking was enough. Normally prone to greediness, when it came to selling his sister’s hand in marriage, he felt it prudent not to get too greedy. He was running out of time and needed to pay his debts soon. Once that pressure slackened, he could focus his energy on rebuilding his wealth.

   A brief hint of remorse came over Reuben. Had he stooped so low that he was selling his sister for money? But, it was not as if he were selling her to a brothel. No, he was just selling her to a wealthy rancher. She would live in luxury. What could be bad about that?

   He knew living with Hiram Norton would not be pleasant. The man had a reputation for being ruthless to his business associates, to his women, and even to his mother. He had no limits. He made Reuben look like a saint. Julia would undoubtedly be miserable married to him until she learned her place.

   Chiding himself, he refocused his attention back to what Hiram was saying. He needed this man’s money, not a sudden case of conscience.

   “After we have our cigars,” Hiram was saying, “then, I will take Julia for a walk. See if I still fancy her. When I return, we will announce our engagement. It will be short. No longer than a month.”

   Reuben held back a gasp. He hadn’t expected Norton to want a short engagement. “You know what the townsfolk will say with such a hurried wedding. They will think my sister has been compromised.”

   Pulling a large stack of bills from his coat pocket, Hiram slammed it down on the desk. “I don’t think you will care too much what is said about your sister’s reputation. Who knows, what they say may end up being true anyway.”

   The dark look on Hiram’s face sent shivers down Reuben’s spine. Ruthless seemed rather inadequate of a word to describe the man before him. He had to make sure Julia did not ruin this deal, for he did not want the added pressure of Norton’s anger.

   Mary knocked on Julia’s door not more than ten minutes after she left the meal. Her voice was timid when she spoke, “The men have retired to the front porch for cigars. Reuben requested that you return to the parlor with the women.”

   Sighing, Julia did as instructed. She listened to the gossip of the rancher’s wives and wished her friend Caroline Larson was in attendance, so she might actually be able to enjoy the evening. The Larsons owned a ranch to the east of the Star C and they had been long-time family friends. Up until last year, before father passed away, the Larsons were always invited for every social gathering—sometimes they were the only guests. Since then, Reuben saw little use for Mr. Larson’s moral ways and only included them on rare occasions to pacify her or his wife.

   Not paying attention to the boring conversation, Julia missed seeing the men return from the outdoors. Mr. Norton’s hand on her forearm jolted her from her thoughts. “Miss Colter, I was hoping you might take a walk with me.”

   “And who will be acting as chaperone?” she replied curtly, not wanting to be alone in his presence.

   Mr. Norton laughed, a sound she was beginning to detest. “Silly girl, I am much too old for a chaperone. I assure you, your reputation will be safe with me. I simply want to stroll for a few moments with a beautiful woman on my arm.”

   Julia thought a stroll might be too much for the man. He was sweating profusely and seemed to have difficulty walking the distance to the door, as his breath came in short, heavy bursts. She looked to Mary for support. She smiled and nodded her approval, oblivious to Mr. Norton’s reprehensible behavior. As Reuben stood next to Mary, his eyes narrowed with a silent warning. Heeding the unspoken message, she stood and accepted Mr. Norton’s arm.

   Outside, the air barely cooled in the waning sunlight, causing Julia to grow warm in a matter of seconds. She wished she thought to grab her fan when a sour odor wafted from the man at her side. Averting her face, she tried to catch an untainted breath of air. Unsuccessful, she decided parting her lips to breathe through her mouth might be preferable.

   Nearing the stables, Mr. Norton stopped abruptly, turning towards Julia. The quick motion—seemingly impossible coming from the man who seemed to struggle walking much of a distance—frightened her. Sucking in air quickly through her mouth, a slight tickle lingered in the back of her throat, almost bringing on a cough.

   When he spoke, his voice took on a sinister edge. Even in the dimming light she could see the contempt in his eyes. “Miss Colter, while I admire your feisty spirit,” he said as he grabbed her wrists, “It would serve you not to embarrass me again, especially by questioning my business practices in a room full of my peers. I can make your life most unbearable if you cross me.” Without warning he pulled her close and crushed his mouth down on hers as his hands took great liberty in exploring her body.

   The shock of his action took a moment to register. Once it did, Julia brought her booted heel down hard on the top center of his foot, just as Will showed her. He dropped his hold instantly, crying out in pain. As he limped toward her, she ran for the front of the house to put some distance between them. Tripping over something, she stumbled, giving Mr. Norton time to catch up. He grabbed her bruised upper arms with surprising strength.

   “Do not ever do that again,” he said in a hostile tone. “Do you not know that Reuben has promised you to me? Make no mistake, Miss Colter, I am a powerful man. If you want to live a decent, peaceful life under my roof, you best lose some of your haughtiness… Or, I will take whatever measures necessary to force it out of you.”

   Julia blinked, trying to absorb all that he said. Was he saying that Reuben already agreed to her marrying this loathsome man? An ominous chill swept over her as he continued his intense stare. Her heart beat rapidly within her chest as her panic rose. She could not—would not—marry this dreadful man.

   Dropping his hold on her, Mr. Norton extended his arm and placed her hand in the crook. “Smile,” he commanded as he limped to open the front door.

   While her smile came insincerely, his seemed quite pleased. He crossed the room slowly, still favoring his injured foot, before stopping in front of Reuben and Mary. “Reuben, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Julia has eagerly agreed to accept my offer of marriage,” he said smugly. “She was so delighted that she agreed to a short engagement. We will be married in a month.” His fingernails dug into her arm daring her to speak otherwise.

   The smirk on Reuben’s face told her this had been their plan all along. Such a public announcement, even though it was completely false, would be difficult to break. Lord, help me. I cannot marry that man.

My Thoughts: This book is the sequel to "A Dream Unfolding" that I reviewed on December 7th. I loved this book too. I loved getting to read more about Hannah and Will. This book though focused on Will's sister, Julia and family friend Adam. Julia had terrible things happen to her in Texas and then she went to live with Will and Hannah in Arizona. There she had to learn to forgive. It was quite the road she had to travel to that end. There are definitely some real life lessons to be learned from this book. I definitely recommend this book if you enjoy reading about the old west and ranches, etc. Very good.

Still Counting One Thousand Gifts

2011-12-19T19:29:00.000-05:00

I'm still counting. If you want to join in, please click the button at the bottom of this post.

56. Kelli is home from school. Love seeing my oldest and having her home for Christmas.

57. Christmas Dinner with our Church Family. Great company and great food.

58. Again, singing Christmas Carols with friends.

59. Shopping alone with hubby and also going to lunch just the 2 of us. Love that man and thanking God still for bringing us together.

60. Having a blast at a white elephant auction at church and earning over $600 towards a small building project for the church.

Christmas Photo Challenge-Catching Up

2011-12-17T10:16:00.002-05:00

Trying to catch up on the Christmas Photo Challenge. Let's see how many of them I can come up with.

Day 12 Something Sticky

These get pretty sticky when they start melting.

Day 13 Reindeer

The 2 stockings on the right have reindeer. Those are the girl's stockings.

Day 14 A decked hall

How about this. The girls old doll house that is now in our livingroom decorated for Christmas.

Day 15 Silver bells

How about the bells hanging on the left side. I love the round bells.

Day 16 A Hippopotamus

Day 17 Under the Mistletoe
I have nothing for this one, so I thought I'd post this video instead.

Heading out to see if I can't finish up the Christmas shopping. The girls did most of the wrapping last night of the gifts we already have. I'm so glad they like wrapping presents. It makes my job so much easier.

Have a great weekend everyone and remember the Reason for the season, Jesus Christ!!

She's Hooooommmmeee!!!!!

2011-12-16T00:31:00.000-05:00

She's home and already the volume level has raised significantly! There are 2 girls now to giggle, fight, holler and carry on! Wow! It's gonna be an interesting month to say the least.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Click the button to play along.
1. Do you put Christmas decorations in every room of your house? If not every room, what rooms do you decorate?
Not in every room, but in the living room & dining room. Sometimes in the girls bath and the girls sometimes do their own rooms.

2. If you could visit one of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) which one would you choose and why?
Sweden probably. Why? Because I've never been there. But where I'd really like to go is Holland so I could see the Corrie ten Boom House.

3. What does the word faith mean to you?
Believing what you can't see or touch or hear. My faith is in Jesus Christ. How about yours?

4. You can go back to your childhood for one day...what day and age would you choose?

How about this day. That's me on the right and I look like I'm having fun. I'm with 2 of my cousins and I think we're all looking pretty cute.

5. When did you last have 'punch'? If it's not too much trouble share your favorite punch recipe.
My mother-in-law makes the best punch on Christmas Day every year. It's become a tradition. It's got strawberries and ginger ale and I'll have to ask her what else sometime.

6. Do you fill stockings at your house? Are stockings opened before or after the bigger gifts?
Yes, we fill stockings and they are usually the last thing we open. Love stockings.

7. What takes your breath away?
Walking up a set of stairs! lol Is that what you mean? Really, my hubby is the one that takes my breath.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Here are a couple of ideas I got from Pinterest. Took them to a church function Sunday. Not too hard to make and people seem to like them.

Still Counting One Thousand Gifts

2011-12-12T08:09:00.000-05:00

Still counting God's blessings in my life.

51. Potato Soup for Supper

52. Lunch at Panera Bread with my husband's wonderful parents and his brother and his family on Sunday afternoon. So fun.

53. Finding out my local library lends Kindle books. Awesome!

54. Saturday night to attend a Christmas play and Cantata with my parents & Kerri that my brother and lots of old friends sang in. So fun and so moving. Thank you God for the memories.

55. Wonderful time spent with my parents Saturday evening driving to and home from the Christmas play. God thank you for such wonderful Godly parents.

Christmas Photo Challenge-Away in a Manger and Ribbons and Bows

2011-12-10T09:46:00.001-05:00

I'm doing today and tomorrow Christmas Photo Challenge in one post. Go visit "This Day" to join in or to see some more.

This is the nativity set my mom and dad gave us.

That's Kerri as Mary back a couple years ago.

Ribbon and bow on a Christmas package

Have a great weekend everyone!

Christmas Photo Challenge-Santa Claus and Wreath with Red Bow

2011-12-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

Day 9 prompt for the photo challenge is Santa Claus. Be sure to go over to This Day if you want to link up.

Santa and Mrs. Claus at our town's Christmas Festival in 2009

Santa in a wreath in Pigeon Forge in 2008. Also, this would qualify for the wreath with a red (plaid) bow.

This and That Thursday

2011-12-08T11:35:00.001-05:00

It seems Thursday is becoming my day to just have bits and pieces. So here I go again.

* I'm addicted. I think it's official. I am now addicted to White Chocolate Caramel Cocoa that is sold at, of all places, the Speedway Gas Station. It is delicious! I actually tried it by accident. I stopped to get hot chocolate and saw they had some flavors and I thought this was just white chocolate flavor. Now I like white chocolate and decided to try it but just as I had the cup half-full I noticed it was white chocolate caramel. I'm really not much of a caramel fan, but oh well, I had the cup half full and I wasn't going to dump it. It was totally wonderful and now I have to have a cup each morning on the way to work. Yummy! If you have a Speedway in your area, I suggest you give it a try.

* I seem to be stymied on my Christmas decorations at home. I know I need to do a little more, but right now I just don't want to. Actully, Kerri has done most of what's been done and I'm thankful for that. I'm enjoying the lights on the 2 little trees and our houses (that are up year round) and that's enough; at least for now.

* I haven't done the photo challenge the last 2 days because:
1. I don't have a picture of a wreath with a red bow. My wreath this year doesn't have a bow at all.
2. I don't have a picture of Christmas cards stamped and ready to send. I don't think I'm sending cards this year. Now, I'll probably do cards to share at church but we just take those and deliver them in person. I may send a few out, but not as many as some years. So no picture to add. Maybe tomorrow I'll have a picture for the prompt in the challenge.

* I just wanted to share this video of my favorite Charlie Brown scene with Linus and the Christmas story. I think I've shown this before, but I just love it. Hope you enjoy it too.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-12-07T06:05:00.011-05:00

Click the Hodgepodge button above to join in with the fun.

1. Will you be hosting any house guests between now and the end of December? Does that thought make you happy or crazy? Do you do anything special for your guests to make them feel at home? How long should a house guest stay?
No, I don't think so. But you just never know.

2. Walter Elias Disney was born this week (December 5) back in 1905 ...what's your all time favorite Disney movie? Here's a list in case you're struggling...and yes, you have to pick one.
Pollyanna for an older Disney movie and National Treasure 1 & 2 for newer Disney movies.

3. What was the last thing you purchased that you realized was a mistake after the fact?
Probably a sweater I bought a few weeks ago. I tried it on to wear it about a week ago and I didn't really like it too much. Hopefully, the next time I try it, I'll like it again.

4. What percentage of your Christmas shopping is done online?
Usually maybe about 25%. This year I hope it to be 50% or more.

5. Amaryllis-snowdrop-poinsettia...your favorite winter blossom?
Poinsettia

6. What is one thing on your personal Christmas wish list? I think we all want peace on earth so let's make this answer an actual item.
I really don't have anything on a list.

7. If you could only use one word today what would it be?
Jesus

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Saw both of these on FB and thought I'd share with you.

Have a great Wednesday!

A Dream Unfolding by Karen Baney

2011-12-07T06:00:00.018-05:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Karen Baney

and the book:

A Dream Unfolding
(Prescott Pioneers 1)

CreateSpace (December 19, 2010)

***Special thanks to Karen Baney for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Karen Baney, in addition to writing Christian historical fiction and contemporary novels, works as a Software Engineer. Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. Karen and her husband make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs. She also holds a Masters of Business Administration from Arizona State University.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

The promise of a new life and a chance to start over…
Hannah Anderson had the life she always wanted, married to the man of her dreams. When her husband’s brother gets in trouble with the law, the town turns against them, shattering her perfect life. Now they are left with only one choice—to head west to the Arizona Territory in the hopes of creating a new life. Will the journey be worth the cost?

Will Colter, after burying his father, is forced to leave the ranch he has called home for nearly thirty years. The journey is dangerous, challenging him and his men. Will he find the new life he was hoping for?

Or, is there a new dream quietly unfolding before their eyes?

Product Details:

List Price: $14.99
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (December 19, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1456512315
ISBN-13: 978-1456512316

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Cincinnati, Ohio

July 15, 1863

   “Gunshot wound!”

   Hannah sighed at the tense sound of her husband’s voice filtering down the hall from the parlor to the kitchen. Though she clearly heard the urgency in Drew’s tone, she took a moment to remove the half-baked biscuits from the heavy iron stove, lest they burn before she returned. This would be the third batch of baked goods she would toss this week so she could assist Drew in his surgery with one medical emergency or another.

   Biting back a second frustrated sigh, she removed her cooking apron to don a fresh one. Tying the apron strings around her back, she entered the chaos of Drew’s surgery room. The heavy shuffling of feet echoed in the small room as four men grunted under the weight of the injured man. The acrid smell of blood hit Hannah full force. She recalled the days when the odor and sight of blood caused her stomach to roil. Nearly two years working by Drew’s side cured her of some of that sensitivity. Heart pounding rapidly, she prepared the ether cone, anticipating the forthcoming request.

   “Get him on the table.” Drew instructed the men carrying the wounded bank manager, Mr. Davis, in a calm voice. As he turned to face her, his tone remained steady, “Hannah, I need the ether now.”

   Hannah’s breath caught in her throat as she looked into Mr. Davis’s panicked eyes—her earlier frustration vanished. Whispering words of comfort, she placed the cone over his nose and mouth, silently counting out the seconds. Around the third second, his thrashing stopped and his body relaxed into an unconscious state. She let out a shaky breath, relieved by the sight.

   Drew’s lanky form bent over Mr. Davis’s left leg as he intently studied the blood soaked trousers. Hannah offered Drew scissors and he cut the pant leg to better see the wound. The bullet was lodged in Mr. Davis’s thigh. He placed a tourniquet above the gaping hole to stop the flow of blood. Hannah mopped up what she could with rags silently praying for their patient and for her husband’s skill. As he requested the small forceps, she handed them over. Watching, she could not help but admire his steady hand and careful movements as he grasped the bullet with the forceps. Gently he removed the bullet.

   As she administered another dose of ether, Drew threaded a needle with his long slender fingers, seemingly unaffected by the gravity of his task. He doused the wound to clean it before starting slow deliberate strokes with the needle to stitch the hole shut. When sweat beaded on his forehead, he barely noticed her swift action to dab it dry, his concentration so intense. Once he finished with the stitches, he wrapped the leg in bandages before checking for other signs of injury.

   “I don’t see any other wounds,” Drew said meeting her gaze as he washed the blood from his hands. His expression remained unreadable. “Please sit with him for a minute while I speak with the men who brought him in.”

   As Hannah pulled up a chair next to Mr. Davis’s still form, she caught most of the conversation playing out in the parlor, though slightly muffled from the distance.

   “Bank robbery,” one of the men replied in response to Drew’s query.

   Gasps echoed in the small parlor that served as a waiting area for patients, followed by the hiss of rapid whispering. Hannah, knowing who was scheduled for appointments, imagined their shocked faces at the unexpected announcement.

   “Will you let Mr. Davis’s wife know he is here and resting comfortably?” Drew requested.

   The men replied affirmatively before the sound of their feet faded behind the closed front door.

   “Bank robbery,” Hannah muttered, surprised someone attempted such in the middle of the day in their peaceful town. She chided herself for thinking of Cincinnati as a town.   With the large number of German immigrants arriving daily to work in the meat packing factories, her childhood home was quickly becoming a large city.

   She checked Mr. Davis’s pulse again which returned to normal. The faint smell of ether hung in the air, intermingled with blood, causing her to take shallow breaths. Drew returned to the room with a deep frown on his face, obviously concerned with the news. As he listened to Mr. Davis’s breathing, Hannah went about cleaning and sanitizing the room and instruments, trying to hold her emotions at bay just a little longer.

   As soon as she finished mopping up the trail of blood from the parlor to the surgery room, she jumped at the sound of the front door bursting open again.

   “Phillip!” called out Mrs. Davis as she ran into the room. “Oh, Phillip!”

   The frail woman gasped at the sight of her pale husband sleeping. Hannah breathed a sigh of relief that she completed the cleaning before Mrs. Davis arrived, fearful for the woman’s constitution. Glancing down at her blood splattered apron, she hoped to go unnoticed, certain the sight would send Mrs. Davis into a fit of apoplexy.

   “Mrs. Davis,” Drew said, speaking in calm soft tones as he clapped his hand over the older woman’s, “he will be just fine. He is resting now, but should be awake later this evening. I would like to keep him here for a few days to make sure he is doing well, and then I’ll send him home to your capable care.”

   “Thank you, Dr. Anderson,” Mrs. Davis replied, blotting her tears with a handkerchief before taking a seat next to her husband.

   Quietly exiting the room, Hannah paused inside the doorway of the kitchen. The intensity of the preceding hours drained her energy as the emotions rushed forward. Leaning her head back against the wall, she let the tears roll down her face. Please let the image of Mr. Davis’s fear-stricken face fade from my mind quickly. The look had been so intense that she felt his fear as if it were her own—not in the moment she looked at him, but now as she returned to the calmness of her kitchen.

   Wiping the tears from her face with the back of her hand, she removed the stained apron and threw it into a bucket to soak. Picking up a clean apron, she returned to the now half crunchy half soggy biscuits next to the oven trying to push the morning from her mind. Knowing there was no way to salvage the biscuits; she threw them into the waste and started on a fresh batch.

   Carefully, she measured out the flour and buttermilk. The familiar actions of baking soothed her edgy nerves. Using the technique her aunt taught her, Hannah rolled out the biscuit dough and cut round forms, repeating the steps until all the dough formed raw biscuits. Numbly she continued through the motions until lovely golden brown biscuits emerged from the oven.

   As Drew saw his last scheduled patient for the day, Hannah started her afternoon routine of tidying the clinic. Starting in the parlor at the front of the house, she straightened chairs and dusted the furniture. From the parlor, she turned left into Drew’s office since both surgery rooms on the right were occupied, one by Mr. Davis and the other by Drew and his patient. Hannah dusted her husband’s desk and stowed the patient charts in the largest drawer at the bottom of the oak desk. Taking a seat, Hannah flipped through the stack of bills. There never seemed to be enough time to see to everything. She needed to spend some time updating the ledgers soon.

   Hannah stood listening as Drew escorted the last patient to the parlor. She entered the now vacant surgery room, wiping down all the surfaces. Once the room was cleaned, Hannah checked on Mr. Davis again. He was still resting peacefully, his wife clutching his hand as she sat in the chair, her chin resting against her chest either in prayer or in sleep.

   Walking down the hall to the kitchen at the back of the house, Hannah began supper preparations. She felt most at peace in her kitchen—her domain. Perhaps it was from the few years she spent by her loving aunt’s side learning how to bake and cook, those domestic skills her mother had not instilled before her passing.

   Shaking off the mounting melancholy, she shifted her thoughts back to Mr. Davis’s care. Following the meal, she would send Drew upstairs to their bedroom to get some rest. She would take the first shift watching Mr. Davis and then, sometime in the middle of the night she would wake Drew to take over.

   At times like these, she wished Drew would hire a nurse. Hannah barely kept up with the laundry, cleaning, and meal preparations without overnight patients. Whenever a patient required round the clock care, she fell woefully behind in other chores. What would she do when she had children to care for?

   “Barnes,” Drew greeted, with some hesitation, as one of the city’s policemen entered the clinic alone. Being one of two doctors in town, Drew often patched up robbers or drunken brawlers before Barnes hauled them off to jail. Occasionally he even visited the jail when Barnes deemed it too dangerous to bring the criminal to the clinic.

   “What brings you here?” Drew asked, still unable to shake his concern that Barnes accompanied no one.

   Barnes, his voice low and serious, asked, “May I have a word with you and Mrs. Anderson?”

   Drew showed him to his office where their conversation could remain private. Once the bulky man took a seat, Drew quickly fetched Hannah. The lack of sleep from the night before did not help his increasing nervousness about the policeman’s unusual behavior.

   As Hannah took a seat, Barnes started, “We have your brother, Thomas, in custody down at the jailhouse. He was identified as one of the men in yesterday’s failed attempt to rob the bank.”

   Drew felt his throat constrict and his heart started beating rapidly, distressed over his brother’s increasingly wild behavior.

   Sinking into the remaining chair, he asked tensely, “What happened?”

   “From what we pieced together,” Barnes’ deep voice added to his air of authority, “it looks like Thomas, along with Sam Rogers and Ed Rogers, stormed the bank yesterday afternoon as one of the patrons was leaving. They pulled their guns on Mr. Davis and forced him to open the safe in the back room. Mr. Davis kept a loaded revolver in the safe, so once he opened it, he turned the gun on Sam and shot him in the foot. Then Ed fired on Mr. Davis.”

   Still stunned, Drew merely nodded. He did not want to believe his brother was party to this crazy affair, crossing the line from rebellion to crime.

   “After Mr. Davis was shot,” Barnes continued, “all three men took off, leaving the money behind. A few pedestrians noted the direction. We followed the trail and it led us to the Rogers’ house. We arrested all three men. Like I said, they are in jail and will remain there until a judge decides what is to be done.”

   Drew looked over at Hannah. Her eyes widened with concern. Thomas rebelled for years, though never so boldly. Disappointment washed over Drew, quickly follow by guilt. If only he had been able to get through to Thomas. Maybe this would not have happened.

   Ever since their father died, Drew’s brother could not contain his restless spirit. Thomas started hanging out with the Rogers brothers and things went downhill from there. The Rogers brothers bullied classmates during their school days and as they aged, they got worse: petty theft from the mercantile, vandalizing businesses, and picking fights with anyone who would pay them mind. When Thomas started staying out late and carousing with Sam and Ed Rogers, Drew did not hesitate to warn Thomas of the dangers of his actions. Closing his eyes, Drew clearly remembered the day he confronted his brother.

---

   Drew woke to a thudding sound on the stairs. Sitting upright, he remained completely still, trying to determine if what he heard was real or imagined as his heart pounded against his chest. Thud. There is it was again.

   Slipping from the bed, Drew carefully crept to the closed bedroom door. Slowly he cracked it open, just as a muffled curse reached his ears. Thomas!

   Stepping from the room, Drew pulled the bedroom door closed behind him, so as not to wake Hannah. At the top of the stairs he made out Thomas’s limp form lying prostrate across several of the stairs. The stale cigar smoke and sickening sweet smell of whiskey clung to his brother’s clothing. As Drew approached, Thomas looked up and cursed again.

   At first, Drew thought Thomas was merely drunk again—a frequent occurrence. But when he tried to help him up, Thomas recoiled and moaned in pain. Drew led him down the stairs and into the surgery room for a quick examination. Lighting the oil lamp, Drew saw the extent of his brother’s injuries. Besides the swollen black eye, his face and knuckles were covered with numerous cuts and scrapes. His ribs were also bruised. This must have been his worst fight to date.

   “You must stop this Thomas,” he warned his brother, keeping his voice low. “The drinking, the gambling—it is only going to lead to trouble.”

   “What do you care?” Thomas roared.

   He grew weary of the familiar accusation. Thomas always thought Drew did not care—Drew always tried to show his concern. He was letting him live here. Wasn’t that proof enough that he cared? As his anger rose, so did his voice. “Look at yourself. Night after night you come home drunk or—”

   “You have no right to lecture me! I’m old enough to take care of myself and do as I please. Mind your own business!”

   “It is my business, as long as you are living in this house!” Drew volleyed back. Taking his brother in had been a mistake. He thought providing a home and some structure would help Thomas give up his wild ways. Instead, no matter what Drew did, Thomas threw it in his face.

   “Don’t act like you are doing me a favor, Drew,” the hatred poured from his brother’s lips. “I know what you are doing. You just don’t want to feel guilty for leaving me here while you went to medical school. But you should! Living with Uncle Peter was awful!”

   “Uncle Peter did his best to help you grow up with some discipline,” Drew countered.

   “Don’t defend that selfish old man!”

   The argument escalated until Hannah appeared in the doorway. When she looked from Drew to Thomas and back again, Drew shut his mouth mid-sentence. Thomas frowned, cursed, then turned and stormed out into the night.

   He never saw his brother again, except once in passing on the street.

---

   Hannah’s dainty cough brought Drew’s attention back to the discussion with Barnes.

   “Dr. Anderson,” Barnes continued as he stood and walked to the front door, “I suggest you consider getting legal representation for your brother.”

   Closing the door behind Barnes, Drew snorted. He refused to bail Thomas out of trouble again. Aware of the waiting patients, Drew ushered Hannah back to his office and closed the door, wondering just how much they overheard.

   “What are you going to do?” Hannah asked, her anxiety evident.

   “What can I do?” Drew replied, acknowledging his own helplessness in this situation. “He is a grown man and he is not my responsibility any longer.”

   “Will you get an attorney as Mr. Barnes suggested?” she asked, her voice full of compassion.

   “No,” he answered angrily. Seeing the shock on Hannah’s face, he quickly explained, “At some point Thomas must choose his own way. Well…he already has. He made that clear more than a year ago. There is nothing I can do or say that will change anything.”

   Drew ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. His heart broke again as he thought of how disappointed his father would be. Perhaps his father passing on was a good thing. At least he would not witness his youngest son’s destructive behavior.

   Sunday morning, Hannah put the finishing touches on the roast and slid it into the oven. Bounding up the stairs she quickly untied the apron from her waist. Standing before the mirror she brushed out her long strawberry blonde hair then twisted it into a chignon at the base of her neck inside the decorative black netted hair piece. She smiled, pleased with her appearance.

   “You look lovely,” Drew commented as his pale blue eyes surveyed the light blue calico dress before resting on her eyes. Color flushed her face with the intensity of his appraisal.

   “Come here,” he added, pulling her close. “Your eyes look bluer than the sky in that dress.” He brushed lips lightly across hers in a brief kiss.

   Releasing her, he asked, “Looking forward to Emily’s visit?”

   “I can hardly wait,” Hannah answered giddily.

   As Hannah preceded Drew down the stairs, she could not contain her excitement over the planned Sunday dinner guests—Levi and Emily Werner. It had been two months since Hannah had seen Emily. Earlier this week, Levi stopped by the clinic to let Hannah know Emily would be back to church this week, having sufficiently recovered from her morning sickness. Hannah quickly extended an invitation for dinner, missing her best friend dearly.

   Emily and Hannah grew up on adjoining farms several miles outside of Cincinnati. Hannah could not remember a time when she and Emily weren’t friends, despite being such opposites in looks and personality. With her dark curls and flashing nutmeg brown eyes, Emily charmed everyone, from the most reserved students to the toughest bullies in their school. As she grew older and began filling out her dress, boys noticed her long before noticing Hannah—not that any had noticed Hannah in school. Walking to and from school together, Hannah often found herself in the role of quiet listener to Emily’s constant chattering about what Amanda Taylor wore that day, or how the pigs on the farm gave birth to a large litter, or who danced with who at the last barn dance. Perhaps if Emily had set her mind on memorizing her lessons at school and not on such things, she would have made higher marks and Hannah would have spent less time trying to help her catch up.

   Besides helping Emily with her school work, Hannah found in her a friend with whom she could confide her deepest sorrows, especially following her mother’s death. Even when her father sent her away to live with her aunt, she wrote letters to Emily almost weekly. When Hannah moved back to the farm with her father, years later, she easily picked up her friendship with Emily. Sadly, she was the only constant person in her life.

   As Drew pulled the phaeton carriage to a stop down the street from the large whitewashed church building, Hannah scanned the crowd for her tall friend. Spotting her, she threw her arm up for a quick wave after Drew helped her to the ground. Emily turned without acknowledging Hannah and entered through the large dark wood doors. Perhaps she just didn’t see me.

   Placing her hand in the crook of Drew’s arm, Hannah smiled, confident nothing could ruin her good mood in anticipation of a wonderful afternoon.

   Once inside the church, Hannah watched as Emily and Levi took their seats in their normal pew. Drew led Hannah to the same pew. As soon as Drew and Hannah sat, she leaned forward to greet Emily, who immediately, without word, stood and followed her husband out of the pew.

   “Emily, wait—”

   “We’ll talk later,” Emily hissed, glancing back over her shoulder with a frown.

   When Levi and Emily took a seat on the other side of the sanctuary, Hannah couldn’t help but feel hurt by her friend’s angry response. Had she unknowingly done something to offend Emily?

   Feeling Drew’s body stiffen, Hannah peeked his direction. The couple on the other side of Drew stood and moved elsewhere. Soon, the pew in front of them emptied, as long time friends scattered to the edges of the room like marbles spilled on the floor.

   Looking up at Drew she saw the stoic expression etched on his face.

   “What’s going on?” she whispered, still trying to determine in what way she or Drew might have offended so many people.

   Drew shook his head curtly.

   When the music started, she shifted her gaze to the words in the hymnal, not needing to read them, but needing to hide her growing sadness over the rejection of her friends. Her voice sounded forced as she tried to sing praises to her God. Inside, she felt anything but gratitude.

   Hannah shifted in her seat as the service dragged on. Her attention waned, not really hearing the words of the pastor.

   As the last strains of the final hymn echoed in the wooden room, the pastor stood and gave a blessing. The sound of booted feet heightened as the crowd exited the church. Not waiting for Drew, Hannah hurried to catch up with Emily outside.

   “Emily, we’ve been sitting together for years. Why did you move this morning?” Hannah asked as her friend tried to dodge her for a second time. “Aren’t you coming to dinner?”

   “No, we are not,” Emily replied emphasizing each word, not looking Hannah in the eye.

   “Are you not feeling well?”

   “I am feeling fine,” Emily said, glaring at Drew as he came to stand next to his wife.

   Hannah held her breath, hoping Emily might elaborate on her strange behavior.

   “If you’ll excuse us,” Emily snapped as Levi started leading her around Hannah again.

   Confused and hurt by Emily’s behavior, she reached out, placing her hand on Emily’s arm. “Please tell me, what have I done that offends you?”

   Emily’s dark eyes flashed with anger as she turned to face Hannah. Brushing Hannah’s hand from her arm, she said, “It was our money, Hannah. We sacrificed and saved for years for that money. Levi took on that second shift at the meat factory so we would have enough for a home of our own to get out of that horrible squalor.”

   “I don’t understand—”

   “No, you don’t understand. And neither did Thomas. He just thought he could walk right into that bank and take what we worked so hard for,” Emily wagged her finger in Hannah’s face, causing Hannah to involuntarily take a step backwards. “And him, a worthless, gambling scoundrel! Never worked an honest day’s labor in his life. But, he thought he could just take what wasn’t his.”

   “I understand your anger with Thomas, but—”

   Levi, who stood with arms folded across his barrel chest, finally spoke, directing his comments to Drew, “A doctor is nothing without his reputation and yours is tainted by your brother’s wild ways. Tell me, Drew, did he try to hide out at your clinic when his plan failed?” Anger shrouded his words.

   Drew dropped his arms to his side, stepping closer to Levi. “How could you think such a thing?”

   Hannah bit her lower lip, hoping Drew and Levi would not come to blows. She was certain Drew would not win against the much larger man.

   “Everyone knows you’ve been bailing him out of trouble for years. Well, this time the people of this city are not going to stand for it,” Levi responded through clenched teeth.

   By now, several other couples gathered around listening to the heated conversation. Friends, who greeted her with a hug and warm smile last week, looked on with hatred carved on their faces. Tears threatened at the corners of Hannah’s eyes as the pain of betrayal heightened.

   “There is nothing to get upset about,” Drew pleaded, looking around the crowd. “I have not seen Thomas in over a year.”

   “That’s not what Mrs. Pierce said!” one woman from the crowd shouted. “She said she saw a man who looked like your brother going into the clinic late that night.”

   Hannah frowned, balling her fist at her side. How can they believe that busybody over my husband?

   “If anyone did enter the clinic that night,” Drew’s voice boomed, “it was without an invitation.”

   “So you don’t deny what Mrs. Pierce said?” Levi pulled Drew’s attention his way.

   Running his hand through his short sandy hair, Drew said, “I’m saying that it is possible someone could have entered uninvited without our knowledge.”

   Emily raised her voice above the growing murmurs, “It doesn’t matter to me if Thomas entered your house with your blessing or not. I for one,” she said, resting her hand on her protruding belly, “will not be birthing my child at your clinic or with your assistance.”

   Hannah’s tears streamed down her heated face as Emily’s words pierced her heart. How could Emily say such a thing? She talked for months about how wonderful it would be to have her best friend by her side as she labored to bring her first child into this world. Now, the friend who stood by her in a school yard full of bullies was acting the part of instigator. Did their friendship mean so little?

   “And I won’t be stopping at your clinic for Franklin’s medications!” another older married woman shouted.

   “When my niece has her child, I’m telling her to go to Doc Henderson!” A typically quiet man shouted.

   As others added in vehement voices their promise to no longer visit Drew’s clinic, Hannah watched his face harden. Closing his eyes, he bowed his head.

   Don’t give up, Drew! Her heart shouted.

   When he lifted his head again, he held out his elbow for Hannah wordlessly. With a firm nod to her, she read the silent message: it was time to go. In the midst of angry murmurs circling about them, Hannah followed her husband to their carriage. As he took the seat next to her, his eyes faced forward. His jaw set in a hard line. His shoulders slumped in defeat.

My Thoughts: What a great book. The storyline was really excellent. The story about Drew and Hannah Anderson was very interesting to me because it started out in Cincinnati, Ohio which is only about 30 minutes away from where I live. It was interesting to read about the history of this city. And then I enjoyed the storyline of Will Colter who was a rancher in Texas. For some reason I have always enjoyed books about ranchers and this one did not disappoint. The author did a great job of introducing and then developing each of these characters. Usually my favorite character in a book is the leading female, and Hannah was really good, but I have to say Will Colter was my favorite. I loved reading about his growing faith and how he was so sure when God was leading him a certain direction. Each one of the characters in this book grew in their relationship with Christ and they had to go through some really hard things. But I loved how Hannah finally came to realize that God had not forsaken her in the hard trials, but had instead been there and comforted her through each one. That is so like my God.

Potato Soup and Photo Challenge-A Candy Cane or Five

2011-12-06T06:00:00.004-05:00

Anyone looking for a really simple, but very tasty potato soup? My sister-in-law gave me this recipe a couple of years ago and I love to eat it in the winter. I believe it's actually a recipe she received from Weight Watchers and if I remember correctly, it's only 1 point for 1/2 cup serving.

Here are all the ingredients.

Here is the soup.

So if your looking for something warm, very tasty, but low on fat...here you go. Yummy!

The Photo Challenge for December 6 is A Candy Cane or Five. Be sure to go check out the list and other participants at This Day.

How about blue candy canes? That's all I have right now.

See it there on hubby's blue Christmas tree.

Here's a full shot of our blue tree. It's still a work in progress though.

Hope you have a great Tuesday!

Still Counting One Thousand Gifts and Photo Challenge

2011-12-05T06:00:00.009-05:00

Go to the bottom of this post for the Christmas Photo Challenge. Still continuing on with counting my blessings and gifts from God.

38. Listening to Christmas music on Pandora on my computer while at work. So enjoying the Michael Buble' Holiday channel. So thankful for Christmas music.

39. Singing a cappella with my church family last Sunday night to some old hymns. I don't know if it was beautiful to anyone else, but I loved it and I know God did too.

40. My new little red teapot. I love this for heating water to make hot chocolate and it cost less than $5.00.

41. Hot Chocolate with hubby Saturday evening while watching TV and wrapping gifts for the Giving Tree.

42. Pinterest - for giving me the idea and directions to make my new wreath this year.

43. Waking up early Saturday morning to spend some time with God and then fixing pancakes for breakfast.

44. Lily waiting patiently in the kitchen hoping to get some pancakes too...she did. Thank you Lord for this wonderful pet you've given us.

45. Red bows and gift wrap that make me smile.

46. Enjoying the Christmas carols at church Sunday morning.

47. My daughter, Kerri decorating the Christmas tree at home and also helping a friend do the beautiful decorations at church

48. Being reminded by Andy Stanley in a video series that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom..." and that "thefear of the Lord" is recognition and reverence that leads to submission.

49. Actually getting some Christmas shopping started.

50. The beautiful group of people that we worship with each week. They are the most loving, giving, praying, worshiping people I know. And I'm blessed to be a part of them.

The Christmas Photo Challenge prompt for today is something warm and tasty. Visit Susan at This Day to join in on this challenge. The picture for blessing #41 above fits the bill for warm and tasty.

Photo Challenge-Presents Under the Tree

2011-12-04T17:27:00.001-05:00

The prompt for December 4 in the 25 day photo challenge is presents under the tree. Click here to join in with us on this challenge by Susan at This Day.

Here's Kelli reading the Christmas Story from the Bible a few years ago on Christmas morning and you can see some gifts still under the tree in the background.

Gift of God Advent Box and Photo Challenge-Christmas Tree

2011-12-03T06:00:00.002-05:00

I learned about the Gift of God Advent Box at Jennifer Crawford Walker's website Smelling Coffee. I would recommend you go check it out. She's written a book called "Keeping Christ as Christmas". I haven't read it, but she's giving ideas on her blog to help us remember Jesus during this season and not to get all caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas.

She suggests you take the different names of Jesus, along with a scripture reference and put them on paper (each on it's own slip). One for each day between now and Christmas. She has a list of 100 in her book or she also has a list of about 20 on her blog or she said you can google "Names of God". Then put them in a container (she used a beautifully wrapped Christmas box). Then each day, draw out one paper together as a family and read the name and the scripture and take a few moments to discuss how that particular characteristic of God impacts us.

I chose to put ours in a basket with a big red Christmas bow.

Here is one of the many names of God and the Scripture Reference.

I think this is a great idea to help our family keep a little more focused on Jesus this season.

December 3rd Christmas Photo Challenge at "This Day" prompt is Christmas Tree.

This is our tree in 2009. I don't have this year's tree decorated yet.

Photo Challenge-Lists

2011-12-02T18:08:00.001-05:00

The prompt for December 2 in the 25 day photo challenge is lists. Click here to join in with us.

This is about the 15th revision of Kerri's Christmas list. Understand that she doesn't expect to get all this stuff. She just gives us a lot to choose from. haha

Photo Challenge-Something Red

2011-12-01T17:35:00.004-05:00

I'm going to try to play along with Susan at This Day with her 25 December Daily Photo Ideas Challenge. Susan has given us a prompt for a picture each day. Click here if you want to link up to today's post.

The prompt for December 1st is red.

This is one of my many Christmas bears. This one plays Jingle Bells.

Here's the list for all 25 days. Come on and join in.

Something Red
A list
The Christmas tree
Presents wrapped under the tree
Something warm and tasty
A candy cane, or five
A wreath with a red bow
Stamped and addressed Christmas cards
Santa Claus
Away in a manger
Ribbons and bows
Something sticky
Reindeer
A decked hall
Silver bells
A hippopotamus
Under the mistletoe
A cup of cheer
Toys in every store
A winter wonderland
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Holiday greetings
A shining star
Children, sleeping
The number "25"

This and That Thursday

2011-12-01T07:49:00.001-05:00

I really don't have any one thing to fill a blog post, so I just thought I'd share a bunch of little stuff today.

Here's Lily coming in from the snow Tuesday night. It was coming down really hard and was so pretty (except for when I was trying to drive in it). Lily loves the snow and I just had to get a picture of her covered in the white stuff for the first time this winter.

Here you can see the grass covered and it's still coming down. Obviously the pavement and roads were too warm for it to stick to them. When we got up Wednesday morning it was all gone and the grass was bright green. Oh well, it was pretty while it lasted.

Saturday we painted walls at my mom and dad's house. As a Christmas present last year we got them a gift card to buy paint and then promised we'd paint for them. Well as you can see, it's almost Christmas again and we just finally got around to painting. It was really a lot of fun. With all five of us kids there, plus some spouses, children and grandchildren, it took no time at all to do the livingroom and hallway. My mom has tons of things hanging on the wall, so my job was to go around and take pictures of it all so we'd know where to hang them back when we were done. This was the last wall I had to do. That's my sister holding that picture up because she had already started removing things before I took the picture. Anyway, with so many of us, the painting job was completed by around noon (with pictures rehung). Now we just need to do the kitchen and family room.

Here's a picture of the entire group of us on Thanksgiving. Everyone was there except Kelli. We sure did miss her. Also in the group is my cousin and his family. We really always have so much fun when we all get together. I think this is the first time ever when no one complained when I asked to get a group photo. My brother was able to set the timer on my camera (I have not idea how it works) and everyone of us are in the photo and I even think everyone is smiling and have their eyes open too.

Have you seen this movie? I just watched it over the weekend and it was really good. I highly recommend it. Loved the lessons it teaches.

That's all for now folks. Have a blessed day.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-11-30T06:00:00.003-05:00

Click on the above button to join in the Hodgepodge fun.

1. Do you send Christmas cards? If so about how many will you send this year? How do you display the cards you receive? Or don't you? (gasp!)
Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I buy them and sometimes I make them. This year, I haven't even really thought about it yet, so probably I won't. The cards we receive are placed in a basket for all to see.

2. When do kids become adults?
Depends on the kid.

3. Does your 'beauty regimen' change with the seasons?

Nope not really. I may have to use more lotion, but that's about it.

4. What's something you like to eat that might cause another person to turn up their nose?

Can't think of a thing. I pretty much just like normal kinds of food.

5. Gloves or mittens?

Gloves

6. What's the longest queue you've ever been in? Was it worth it? Queue=line but doesn't queue sound nicer?
We waited to eat at J. Alexander's for a couple of hours one night and yes it was definitely worth the wait.Especially since we were with friends, and just being together was fun.

7. Besides Christmas, what is one thing you are looking forward to in the month of December?

Tracy, Kerri and I may possibly go to Pigeon Forge for a couple of days and then Kelli will be coming home from school for a month.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
My new header picture for Christmas was drawn by Kelli back in 2009.

Counting One Thousand Gifts

2011-11-28T06:00:00.007-05:00

Still counting things I'm thankful for.

31. Being part of a church who loves to help the community. Each year, our church serves a free Thanksgiving dinner to anyone in the community who wants to attend, or if they are shut-ins, we deliver lunch to them. We also serve to our local law enforcement and fire personnel and communications officers who are on duty on Thanksgiving. I love being part of a caring church family.

32. I love getting to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. There were 19 of us gathered this year. My sister opened her home to us and everyone brought in food and we had a great time. Here are a few of us gathered at the table. The rest of us were probably in the kitchen still filling our plates. She had a humongous table that fit all of us and still had room for a few more. (Kelli hopefully you'll get to be there with us soon, maybe next Thanksgiving).

33. So thankful that my daughter has a wonderful roommate that took her home with her for Thanksgiving since she couldn't come home to us. Thanks Salina and family! Love you.


Salina and Kelli

34. I'm thankful for Skype. It was so wonderful Friday night to be able to sit and talk for over an hour to Kelli via Skye. I just love this modern technology sometimes. :)

35. Having a job that allows me to spread my vacation time out throughout the year. It was so nice to be off from Wednesday through Sunday. Loved the time with my family and friends.

36. Going out on Black Friday, but not buying one thing from the special sales. haha Just had fun with my hubby and Kerri. We bought a few things, but not the special Black Friday sales.

37. Naps...I'm thankful that this past weekend I had several opportunities to take a short afternoon nap. I just love to do this. Of course now I'm not sure how I'll stay awake all day at work this week. haha Thank you Lord for the opportunity to rest in you.

Why don't you click this button and join in with counting your blessings from God. It really does make a difference in your life when you're looking for all His gifts.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

Wednesday HodgePodge

2011-11-23T06:00:00.005-05:00

1. Let's start with something controversial...dressing or stuffing? What's it called at your house and what's included in your recipe...cornbread? oysters? sausage? chestnuts?
We call it dressing and we are having White Castle Dressing this year. My brother makes it and it is delicious. By the way, from the comments I see some of you don't know what White Castle is? It's a hamburger chain restaurant that sells little squad hamburger sliders that are really good. Here's a picture below.

2. Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?
I'm not sure that I do compare myself to anyone, however, my kids say I'm like my sisters.

3. When were you last inside an airport?
Last January when we took my daughter so she could fly back to school after Christmas break. However, I'll be there next month when we pick her up for Christmas break! Yay!

4. What is one side dish that absolutely must be included in a turkey dinner?
Mashed Potatoes of course!

5. What Christmas song do you dread hearing?
I don't really dread hearing any of them, however, "Little Drummer Boy" is probably one of my least favorite of all.

6. If someone approaches you and asks for money do you give it to them? Do you drop money 'in a tin cup' that belongs to a person on the street? Do you have a specific charity you support during the holiday season and/or year round?
It just depends on the situation as to whether we give or not. We did the Shoe Box thing this year and we're going to participate (as a church) in Christmas Gift Baskets and also the City Giving Tree. I also sponsor a child in Ecuador through Compassion.

7. Share a favorite Thanksgiving memory. If you live in a country that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving share a favorite memory associated with food.
I remember one year my cousins and I (we were high school age) took off after dinner and hid in our barn so we didn't have to do dishes. We thought we were so cool. I really think the adults were just glad to get us out of the house, because no one tried to find us.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving tomorrow with my family. There will be 19-20 of us together.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Where I've Been...

2011-11-22T10:38:00.002-05:00

I received this in an e-mail from my friend Jan and just had to share it with you. Thanks for the laugh Jan.

Where Have You Been

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots.
Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito.
I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane.
They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there.
I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump,
and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt.
That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible,
but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable,
and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense!
It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart!
At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

I may have been in Continent, and I don't remember what country I was in.
It's an age thing. My job is done!

Life is too short for negative drama and petty things. So laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly!
I hope everyone is happy in your head - we're all doing pretty good in mine!

Counting One Thousand Gifts

2011-11-21T06:00:00.005-05:00

More gifts I'm thankful for:

27. Friends - I'm so thankful for friends who when you tell them you have to go take care of something and you leave work right away and they can tell by your expression that it's serious and they pray for you. When you return they ask if everything is ok and then let you know they prayed for you and still never ask what was wrong. They are content to know you needed prayer and then prayed without needing to know the particulars. Thanks Tom, that meant a lot to me. Your prayers were answered.

28. A pastor (who just happens to be my husband) who teaches us truth. Here's a truth he told us Sunday. "When the Lord commands us to do something, we ought to look upon that as a promise because God will not command us to do something that is beyond our capacity by his grace to do." An example he gave was Lazarus. When Jesus told him to come forth from the tomb, Lazarus wouldn't have been able to do it if Jesus hadn't given him the ability. Or when He told the man with the withered hand to stretch forth his hand, he couldn't do that if he hadn't been given the ability. I love this truth so much.

29. I love that on the cross Jesus told the thief who asked Him to remember him, not to worry (MSG version). I love it. Even on the cross, Jesus told him not to worry. We don't have to worry when we trust the God of the ages. He's got it all in His hands, so why do we waste time worrying. This is a truth I'm trying to learn to follow. Thank you Jesus.

30. Christmas movies - I love watching Christmas movies. Watching one right now.

Stick With It

2011-11-19T08:21:00.000-05:00

"Staying with it-that's what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry; you'll be saved." Luke 21:19

This is really what we have to do isn't. We just have to stay with it. No matter how tired we get or how worn out we may be. We just really need to finish the race. In the end, it will be worth it all. Thank you Jesus.

Have a blessed weekend.

Ornament Wreath

2011-11-18T06:00:00.002-05:00

I made my first Pinterest Craft. I've wanted one of these wreaths for the past couple of years. Who knew I could make one? I saw it on Pinterest and bought the stuff and it was pretty easy too. Now remember before you look at the picture, it's still a work in progress. It's a little lopsided and it needs a bow. But here you go.

Have I mentioned lately that I love Pinterest?

Have a great weekend everyone.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-11-16T06:00:00.004-05:00

Click the button to join in the fun.

1. What song reminds you of a specific time in your life and what is it about that song that makes you remember?
I remember the songs my dad used to sing to us in the car. One in particular was about a girl name Sweet Rosie Lavenchy. I don't know where he got it and I've never heard from anyone but him. But it reminds me of being a young girl riding in the family car. He sang it often enough, that I learned it and then sang it to my girls. However, I don't think they ever learned it. haha Here are the words:

"Sweet, Rosie Lavenchy
she was a blacksmith by birth
she got tired of living
and wanted to leave this earth
she wanted to die by inches
but this she found very hard
so she went out in the alley
and laid down and died by the yards."

Rather morbid, isn't it? lol

2. What's something you've given up on?
Ever being a size 6 (except maybe when I get to heaven)

3. What's something you'll never give up on?
Loving my Savior.

4. If you had to cook something from scratch in the next hour what would it be?
Lasagna (at least I would if someone makes sure I have all the ingredients)

5. Have you started Christmas shopping? Decorating? Listening to Christmas music?
My husband put up a small blue tree. He's always wanted a blue tree and bought one after Christmas last year on sale. I've bought one Christmas gift (but I won't put it on here as someone may read it that shouldn't). Yes I've been listening to Christmas music.

6. What do you know about your parent's wedding?

They got married in my grandparent's home. It was my dad's 22nd birthday and my mom's 17th birthday. When my dad asked if he could marry my mom, grandpa said I'd rather you marry her with my blessing than without it. My mom made her wedding dress.

7. I can't believe I ___________________.
can't think of a single thing to say here. Man am I ever boring! haha

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm in the mood to read some Christmas books. I need to finish a book I have for review and then I'll be free to read all the Christmas books I have on my Kindle...yay!

Rainbow

2011-11-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, Tracy, Kerri and I stopped at Taco Bell for supper and noticed some people outside looking at the sky and taking pictures. It was sunny out, but sprinkling too. We figured it was a rainbow and when we left a short time later we actually saw that it was a double rainbow. We headed towards home and kept looking at and talking about the rainbow. One of them was so bright and the other wasn't bad either. My daughter kept asking, Mom do you want me to take a picture and I said no that's ok. But finally I told her yes and to get the camera out of my purse, which she did. Then hubby said you could turn here and get a picture if you want. I decided not to, but then drove just a bit further and turned into a cemetery and that's when we saw the rainbow line up right behind this cross. I parked and jumped out of the car and took a couple of pictures. I'm so glad I did.

When I see a rainbow I always think of the promise of God never to flood the whole earth again. And then the cross reminds me of God's promise to redeem us if we'll just believe in and accept His Son as our Savior. I love these pictures because they have both, God's rainbow and His cross. Thank you Lord for your beautiful creation and for giving your Son for me. Wow! You truly are awesome!

Counting One Thousand Gifts

2011-11-14T06:00:00.004-05:00

In my deliberate effort to be more aware of God in my life, here is a continuation of the list of Blessings, Gifts, and God moments in my life this past week:

21. God given time to spend with our oldest daughter on Saturday. Kelli's college flew her to Columbus to represent the college to the students at their Youth Convention this past weekend. She was there to tell them about the college and hopefully get them to consider attending there in their future. Since we're less than 2 hours away, we drove up and got to share several hours with her during the afternoon. It was so good to see her. It's been a long time since early September and she won't be until mid-December for Christmas break. So this was awesome. Thank you God for those hours.

22. Kerri spent the weekend at that Youth Convention with her youth group. She didn't know her sister was coming in. Kelli wanted so bad to surprise her. Well from what we've been told, it worked really well. Kelli was at her booth when Kerri walked by. She glanced over and then did a double take and screamed and then ran to her sister and jumped at her and wrapped her arms around her and started bawling. I think she was very, very happy. ;) Thank you God for wonderful surprises and sisters who really do love each other (there are days when we wonder. lol). I wish I had pictures, but that's okay because I have pictures in my mind that are really great.

23. Thank you God for all our veterans who serve our country. They are so awesome and I appreciate all they've done.

24. We finished our women's Bible Study Tuesday night. I am so thankful for each of these women and I'm so grateful to get to learn more about God with them. This time we did Beth Moore's study, "The Inheritance". If you've never heard of it and are looking for a good one, you should check it out. Awesome!!!

25. Shopping and new clothes. Thank you God for the opportunity to go shopping and buy some new clothes. It sure was fun shopping with Kelli Saturday. Hey and I earned some Kohl's bucks, so Kerri and I will be able to do some shopping soon too. Yay!!!

26. A good friend and co-worker who when I worked some overtime with last week, brought us in some wonderful goodies and snacks and she made the time (even though we were really busy) a lot of fun. Thanks Cathy for being a good friend and sharing with me.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-11-09T06:00:00.005-05:00

If you haven't done the Wednesday Hodgepodge with us before, you really should consider joining in. It's always so much fun. Just click the button above and go on over and see Joyce and join in with us. Go on..you know you want to.

1. Of all the tools and gadgets you own which do you most enjoy using?

My Kindle and my laptop are my favorites.

2. When (if ever) is impatience a virtue?
I'm not really sure that it ever would be.

3. What temperature do you keep your thermostat set to in winter? Do you have another way to heat your house besides a furnace of some type?

Around 68 degrees. No we have no other heat source except to wrap up in a blanket or afghan when watching TV.

4. Do/did you have a close relationship with any of your grandparents?

Not as close as my girls do with their grandparents. But I was pretty close to my mom's mom.

5. When did you last have a family portrait taken?

Thanksgiving 2 years ago. It was not a professional photo though.

6. What does the word patriotism mean to you?

I think this video shows patriotism about as well as anything.

7. Do you like to play cards and if so, what's your favorite card game?

I'm not a big card player, but I do like Solitaire (though I usually play it on the computer) and rummy.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have found so many cute things on Pinterest to make for Christmas. I love Pinterest and I'm really in the crafting mood. I bought the stuff this weekend to make a wreath and my daughter is decorating light strands for her room. I'll take pictures when we get them finished. I got this idea from Pinterest too. Acorn Cookies. I made some for Bible Study. Here are a few of them.

Thanks Joyce for another great week of Hodgepodge questions.

Changes

2011-11-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

Did you notice I have had to change my profile story. It used to say to pray for me because I'm the mother of 2 teenagers. Well, guess what? That's not true anymore. I'm now the mother of 1 teenager and 1 twenty year old. Wow! I cannot believe that's true. But, it is. Oh and by the way, I still need prayer. lol

Where did all the years go? Sometimes I wish they were little again. But most days I'm happy with the way things are. May God continue to bless them in their lives.

Counting One Thousand Gifts

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

In my deliberate effort to be more aware of God in my life, here is a continuation of the list of Blessings, Gifts, & God moments in my life this past week:

15. The opportunity to Skype with my oldest over the weekend. Also talked with her roommate and met her roommate's mother during this conversation. So much fun. Love you Kelli

16. Kelli's roommate's momma who took her in this weekend and fed her real food. Thank you Christy for taking care of my girl.

17. Time crafting Saturday night with my youngest girl. She was making a beautiful light strand with pink tulle and netting for her bedroom and I was knitting the prayer shawl.

18. Time with just hubby and I as my sister had my youngest over Friday night and most of Saturday. They were shopping and cleaning and having fun. Hubby and I went out to lunch together and went shopping and bought some Christmas decorations.

19. Watching a Beth Moore video with my youngest and another young friend, eating pizza and then talking together until almost midnight Thursday night.

20. Thank you Lord for one of the best weekends we've had in a long time.

The ABC's of Me

2011-11-03T06:00:00.004-04:00

I got this meme from Nina at Portugal Bound. I enjoyed getting to know Nina a little better though this, so I decided to play along too. Click here if you want to go check out what Nina has to say. You'll be glad you checked her out. She's an interesting, fun lady and she takes beautiful pictures on her blog.

So anyway, here's a little bit about me.

A. Age: 54
B. Bed size: King
C. Chore that you hate: All of them. lol No really I hate sweeping.
D. Dogs: Mine is a mutt named Lily. But I love most dogs
E. Essential start to your day: Getting out of bed. Praying and reading the Word
F. Favorite color: blue
G. Gold or Silver: I like both but gold is my favorite
H. Height: 5'4"
I. Instruments you play: Piano
J. Job title: Administrative Assistant to the Police/Wife/Mom/Pastor's Wife
K. Kids: 2 girls
L. Live: Southwest Ohio
M. Make of car: Buick Lacrosse
N. Nicknames: Chatty Cathy and Gigglebox as a kid
O. Overnight hospital stays: when a migraine headache caused the entire right side of my body to go numb.
P. Pet peeves: I hate being lied to
Q. Quote from a movie: "Let me tell you something, Toula. The man is the head, but the woman is the neck. And she can turn the head any way she wants.” from my "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: 1 older brother, 1 older sister, 1 younger sister and 1 younger brother. Yep I'm a middle child.
T. TV Shows: NCIS and Survivor and Once Upon a Time
U. Underwear: Yes
V. Vegetable you hate: brussel sprouts and lima beans
W. What makes you run late: Not wanting to get out of bed
X. X-Rays you’ve had: head, (see hospital stay above), chest, teeth, back
Y. Yummy food that you make: People say I make good lasagna and chocolate chip cookie bars
Z. Zoo animal: seals and penguins

Your turn....and let me know if you post this...I'd love to get to know you better too!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-11-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

Click the button above to join in with all the Hodgepodge Fun

1. Who taught you how to cook?
I guess I learned how to follow a recipe in Home Ec. ClasI s. My mom gave me some recipes and so did my sister. Mostly I guess it was Home Ec, But I really don't do a lot of cooking. Hubby does most of it.

2. Have you been told you think too much? Are too much of a perfectionist? Are too sensitive? Were they right?
I've been told I'm too sensitive and wear my feelings on my sleeves. The other two...no. Am I too sensitive? Probably, at least sometimes.

3. As a child did you have a favorite blanket or toy? Tell about it.
I really can't remember, but if so it was probably my Chatty Cathy doll (since that was my nickname), until my dad ran over it with the car. I must not have like it too much, if I left it on the driveway...huh!

4. What 'institution' do you have the most faith in?
The institution of marriage...at least where hubby and I are concerned.

5. Chrysanthemums-pansies-burning bush-ornamental cabbage...your favorite in an autumn garden?
Pansies and burning bush

6. What superpower do the kids in your neighborhood seem to posses?
The superpower to knockdown or tear-up our mailbox. Except I don't know if it's kids or who. The last time they took our reflectors off the posts. Who knows why? Not us.

7. Are you a fan of the cranberry?
Not really, but a little bit with the turkey isn't bad.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Well so far I am totally enjoying the new TV show "Once Upon A Time". How about you?

Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart

2011-10-30T21:42:00.000-04:00

Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart

Book Description: Now that she’s arrived at her ultimate address, will Mary Lynn’s longed-for view of the harbor satisfy the craving of her heart?
At last, Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are living the life they’ve dreamed of. Two self-described “small town bumpkins” from Round O, South Carolina, they made a small fortune selling the little gems of lowcountry real estate Jackson inherited and now they are living in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, carefully working their way up the social ladder in hopes of meeting their ultimate goal: to give their three daughters the life they themselves never had.
But the long-forgotten God of Mary Lynn’s childhood seems to be trying to get her attention in clear and unusual ways. So clear and strange she can no longer deny it. When Mary Lynn prays for Jackson to open his mind and heart to God, her prayers are answered beyond her wildest imaginings. Now Jackson’s dramatic conversion (which includes street witnessing, giving away a lot of money, and inviting poor, desperate and marginalized people into their home) is threatening their social status as well as their family mission statement. Is she willing to go along with him?
What would it be like to go “all out” for God? Jackson, a sharp and focused Type A man, is unafraid and willing to go all the way. Mary Lynn has her doubts.

Click here for the author's website.

My Thoughts: This is a really good book. From beginning to end, I just couldn't seem to read it fast enough. Each character was very well written. Mary Lynn prayed for her husband to get saved, but then wasn't quite ready for the changes when he did. The girls hadn't been raised to know God, so they had no understanding of what was going on. They, along with their parents were involved in moving up in society in Charleston. It was interesting getting a glimpse into the Charleston society, but I found myself hoping that God would win out in the end. I have no intention of spoiling the ending or giving anything away. I will say that this book is really good and I highly recommend it to you.

I received a copy of this book from The B&B Media Group for review. I am not required to give a positive review.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-10-26T18:41:00.000-04:00

This is the 50th Hodgepodge. Click the button and join us for the fun. Of course read my answers first and leave a comment if you want.

1. What gives you goosebumps?
When I'm really cold.

2. Halloween-are you a lover or a hater? Okay, that sounds harsh...Halloween-yay or nay?
I like it okay especially the chocolate candy. lol

3. Can you respect someone you do not trust, and can you trust someone you do not respect?
No.

4. Apples or oranges? Yes, you have to choose.
Oranges. Are we getting a little bossy Joyce? hahaha

5. What is something you wish was in your town? (shop, restaurant, attraction, etc)
Disney World! No that's a little extreme. How about Texas Roadhouse Steak House

6. What non-food item is in your refrigerator or freezer?
Ice packs

7. Are you at all superstitious?
No

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I will get back to more regular blogging soon. I haven't been feeling well lately, but I'm getting better now. Recovering from bronchitis. Sure have been missing everyone. Take care.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-10-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

Click the button above to join in the fun with us.

1. How do you typically react in a sudden, extreme, pressure-filled crisis? Would we want you nearby in an emergency?
I was a full-time police/fire dispatcher for over 15 years and still fill in when needed, so I kinda have to be able to handle the immediate emergency situation. After all these years, it still makes me nervous, but you do what you have to and I've certainly done a lot of praying over things. But now, if you need me to handle a medical emergency (like being there for the blood and stuff), that I don't do quite as well. :)

2. Caramel apple-caramel sundae-caramel corn-caramel macchiato...of the four, which carmel treat would you choose?
I'm not a major caramel fan, but I do like caramel corn.

3. Is there such a thing as destiny? Explain.
I don't really believe in destiny, however I believe God has a plan for our lives, but now it depends on whether we're willing to listen and follow His plan or are we going to do our own thing.

4. What's your favorite piece of furniture? I'm referring to something currently in your possession as opposed to something on your wish list.
Probably the end tables and coffee table my dad made for us.

5. Wednesday night marks the start of the 2011 Baseball World Series. Did you know? Do you care? Will you be watching? Ever been to a professional baseball game? If you're not an American do you find the title 'World Series' annoying or amusing?
No I really don't care this year. If the Cincinnati Reds were in it, I'd probably care more. haha

6. A sound that takes me back to my childhood is____________.
I can't think of a thing right now. Maybe after I read some other Hodgepodge answers I'll come up with something.

7. On average, once you've linked your hodgepodge post to mine how many other participant blogs do you visit? Do you ever come back to the Hodgepodge later in the day or even the day after to read posts?
Probably 8-10, sometimes more, sometimes less. I check it off and on all day, if I have time.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
If you've never done it, I strongly recommend the Beth Moore Bible study, "The Inheritance". Very good.

Crockpot Beef Roast

2011-10-13T20:15:00.000-04:00

A friend at work (Traci) gave us a recipe for a crock-pot beef roast. We put it on to cook this morning before work. It's super simple. Mix a packet of dry ranch dressing, dry Italian dressing and a packet of dry brown gravy. We took these 3 ingredients and put them in a small baggie and shook them up. Then put the beef roast in the crock-pot and poured the dry mix over it and added 1/2 cup water and cooked all day. When we got home from work, I added some mushrooms to the crock-pot and then cooked some noodles.

To serve we put the noodles on the plate, added the beef & mushrooms and then some of the broth and added a little sour cream, salt & pepper and hubby added parsley to his.

Traci, your recipe was a hit at our house. Thanks for sharing.

Counting One Thousand Gifts

2011-10-10T10:23:00.000-04:00

In my deliberate effort to be more aware of God in my life, here is a continuation of the list of Blessings, Gifts, & God moments in my life this past week:

11. A wonderful service yesterday with my husband reminding us that God's mercies are new every morning.

12. God with me in the night. I've had a cold or flu or something this past week and Saturday night I couldn't sleep at all. At one point I got up and decided to read my Bible and God led me to Lamentations and the same verse that my husband used Sunday morning in his sermon that I mentioned above. That verse seems to be coming up in my life a lot recently. No doubt it's a God thing.

13. Wonderful Friends. A friend gave me a recipe for a hot toddy to try for my congestion. I have to say it wasn't very tasty (I've had worse though) but it seemed to help. I really slept last night. Thanks Karen. (I'll try to post it later this week for those of you who may be interested.)

14. Fellowship. Yesterday was "Homecoming" at our church and after service we had dinner. Let me tell you we have some wonderful cooks at our church (both men and women) and lunch was great. But not just the food, the fellowship with each other was too. God has blessed us richly.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-10-05T06:00:00.006-04:00

Click the button above if you'd like to join Joyce for some Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. What's your favorite meal to serve on a chilly autumn evening?
Chili with spaghetti or breakfast with eggs, bacon or sausage, fried potatoes and toast or biscuits. Yummy, it's making me hungry just thinking about it.

2. Are you a creature of habit? Explain.
No, I don't think so. But maybe I should ask my family, they make think differently.

3. What food product (no longer readily available) do you remember and miss from days gone by?
My mom's porkchops fried in cornmeal batter with mashed potatoes and cornmeal gravy. Yummy. I miss it because I don't live at home and I don't cook it because I'd be the size of a barn if I could make this (along with some other very wonderful things my mom cooks).

4. What's something you've lost that you've never been able to find? Any theories as to what happened?
I can't think of a thing.

5. Zoo~circus~ carnival...your favorite?
Zoo because I love the animals, especially seals and penguins.

6. What song makes you feel instantly happy?

Kiss the Girl from Little Mermaid

7. To what extent are you an argumentative person?
Depends on who I'm arguing with and what we're arguing about.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This lady makes the most awesome creatures from candy. Her name is Miyuki and she is at the Japanese Pavilion at EPCOT. I love to watch her. She is really terrific. If you ever get the chance you should check her out.

More Pictures from Our Trip

2011-10-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

Here are a few more pictures from our Disney Vacation.

One of my most favorite rides at EPCOT

Kerri with Dory. I love Dory (and Kerri too)

Sunset just outside Disney Hollywood Studios

This picture of Woody and Jessie crack me up. It looks to me like someone must have passed some gas and they're holding their noses. hahaha

Evening photo of the Castle

Halloween Decorations (this was late August or early September)

Hope you enjoyed another little peak into our Disney trip.

Counting One Thousand Gifts

2011-10-03T12:27:00.001-04:00

In my deliberate effort to be more aware of God in my life, here is a continuation of the list of Blessings I'm grateful for:

#6-#10

6. Our wonderful Tuesday Night Women's Bible Study. I love these ladies so much and they teach me so much. Plus learning from Beth Moore. God is definitely using her to teach us more about Him. Right now we are learning we are Heiresses.

7. I'm thankful for a wonderful weekend with my husband and daughter and the opportunity to "see" and talk with our oldest daughter on Skye last night.

8. Earlier last week my husband experimented with a new recipe for Spaghetti Sauce and it was very good. I'm so thankful for a husband who likes to cook!

9. I'm thankful for a fun time with my youngest daughter Saturday night. We went to the movies together without any pre-planning. Just checked the time and found it was starting in 30 minutes, then hopped in the car and zoomed over. We shared some popcorn and some laughter and watched "The Help". Fun times.

10. Being loved by God...when I take the time to think about this I can hardly believe that the Creator of all loves me.

I Don't Have To...I Get To

2011-10-02T09:03:00.000-04:00

It's Sunday! Today is the day we go to worship the Lord. I was just thinking as I was drying my hair that so many times on Sunday mornings my thought is:
I have to go to church.
I have to teach the Sunday School today.
I have to play the piano.
I have to do this or that.

And then the thought came to me that it shouldn't be "I have to." It should be "I get to."
I have the privilege this morning to go to church.
I have the privilege to teach the Sunday School today.
I have the privilege to play the piano or to do this or that.

You know in so many countries of this world, they don't have that privilege. Or people sick at home or in a hospital bed don't have that privilege. Or our young men and women out on the battlefield right now don't have that privilege.

So today I choose to be glad and enjoy the privilege God has given me.

God forgive me for thinking the wrong way. Thank you for reminding me this morning it is an awesome thing to be able to worship the Most High God. Thank you for loving me. Help me to always remember this.

Psalm 122:1 NLT
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

Pictures Driving Down the Road

2011-10-01T11:07:00.001-04:00

Sometimes when I head out to work in the morning, the sun is shining so bright and the sky is so pretty I can't resist grabbing my camera and just snapping away. Yes, I am driving, but I don't focus the camera. I just open the window (or not) and snap away (and know I don't put the camera up to my face, I am totally watching my driving. I did this yesterday and I'm just now seeing what I actually captured. I often wonder what the people in the cars around me are thinking.

Anyway, here they are if you want to see them. I have a very short drive to work, but it's rather picturesque I think. As you'll see, I've done no editing at all. You can see the car in some and all kids of wires, but the sky sure was pretty yesterday and I imagine in a couple of weeks or so the trees should be full of colors.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Crocheting

2011-09-29T06:00:00.008-04:00

Since it's officially fall and the weather here is cooling down quite a bit, I'm in the mood to do some crocheting. I've been working on an afghan for my husband for several years now. Yes, I did say years. haha Anyway last night while watching Survivor I got it back out and started working on it again. I'm hoping I can finish it this year. It's gotta be before spring because I don't like to crochet in the spring or summer because it's too hot with all that laying in your lap. Anyway thought I'd show you a picture of where I am on it right now.

So please someone tell me I'm not the only one that takes years to complete a crafting project.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-09-28T06:00:00.001-04:00

1. It is officially fall here in North America...I realize not everyone who participates in the Hodgepodge lives in North America but if you do, what's your favorite memory of Summer 2011? If you're not in North America, what's your favorite memory of the season just ending on your side of the world?
First of all, I just want to say that I love the fall. Now my favorite memory would be our trip to take Kelli back to college and spend a week in Disney World. I'm not necessarily glad my daughter is gone, but I know she is right where she wants to be so that makes me happy and we had a great vacation in the process.

2. Your favorite nut? You know I mean the edible kind, right?
I'm glad you cleared that up or I may have said my husband or daughters. I probably love cashews the best. But I love peanuts an awful lot too.

3. What activity puts your sense of balance to the test?
Evidently riding a bike. One of the last times I rode I fell and skinned up my knees pretty good. I haven't been much interested since.

4. How would you describe your sense of humor?
Sarcastic.

5. September 28th is National Ask a Stupid Question Day...what's your stupid question?
Probably one of the stupidest questions I've heard is when our county first got 911, a person called our local police department and said I live in such and such a town, what do I have to dial to get 911. All I can say is "Here's your sign"

6. Roller skates~hula hoop~jump rope...which activity would you most enjoy? Yes, you have to choose.
Probably hula hoop. I just think it's fun.

7. What's your most sentimental possession?
My wedding ring.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I sure do enjoy Pinterest. I'm finding so many really neat crafts and good sounding recipes (and I don't even cook that much). Are you on Pinterest? If so, tell me how to find you so I xan follow you and get lots more good stuff. haha I think I'm hooked!

Disney Characters Bring Out the Child in All of Us

2011-09-27T09:50:00.000-04:00

If you're wanting to go to Disney, but you are afraid that your kids are too old to really enjoy it, don't let it bother you. My girls love it and they are 17 and 19. I was really a little surprised how much they wanted to have their pictures taken with the characters. I really thought they'd think that was stupid. But no, my 17 year old was always on the look out for a character and as long as the line wasn't too long, off she'd go with all the little ones to have her picture made. I'm so glad because I think these are times I'll remember for a long time. It just seems that Disney brings out the child in all of us. So here are a few pictures I thought I'd share with you. They are mostly of Kerri because Kelli was only there 1 day with us.

Kerri and Sorcerer Mickey at Disney Hollywood Studios

Jasmine and Aladdin at Magic Kingdom (Isn't he just the cutest?)

Kerri and Aurora at Magic Kingdom

Kerri and Belle at Magic Kingdom

Kerri and Cinderella at Magic Kingdom

Kerri and Stitch at Magic Kingdom

Kerri and Mickey and Minnie at Magic Kingdom

Kerri, Kelli, Salina (Kelli's college roommate) and Mary Poppins at Magic Kingdom

Salina, Aurora, Kelli at Magic Kingdom

Another picture of Kerri and Belle

Kerri, Cinderella, Kelli and Salina at Magic Kingdom

Kerri with Belle in her less formal attire at EPCOT

Kerri and Mulan at EPCOT

Have I ever told you that I really love Disney? lol Have a blessed day everyone!

Multitudes on Mondays

2011-09-26T13:07:00.004-04:00

My husband and I were talking this weekend about someone we know who deliberately seeks for God in his everyday life. I admire that and have been thinking about this a lot lately. I want to be more like that and look for God moments or blessings of God in my everyday life. I just want to be more aware of God in all aspects of my every day. I know He's there in every breath, but I don't consciously think about it and I want to. I want to be very deliberate in my efforts to really see Him everyday.

Lately I've noticed two of the bloggers I follow have been doing this using Multitudes on Mondays, One Thousand Gifts. These two bloggers are Debbie at Heart Choices and Jamie at Six Bricks High. These ladies both have such a heart for God and I would recommend checking out their blogs. The thought as I understand it is to list 1,000 things you are thankful for. I've decided in my efforts to be more deliberate about seeing God in my life that I will try this too. I'm thinking that if I consciously look for the blessings in my life I will definitely be seeing God.

Blessings I'm thinking of right now. #1-5
1. A pricking of my heart from the Spirit to want to see God more.
2. A husband who encourages me in all my pursuits.
3. My daughter laughing with a good friend while on the phone...I love her laughter.
4. The opportunity to visit and then worship with family visiting from out of state.
5. Blogging friends who encourage me, even when they don't know they do.

Fall Into Reading 2011

2011-09-23T23:02:00.009-04:00

Fall Into Reading 2011

I'm going to participate in Fall Into Reading over at Callapidder Days. Her post says to:

Make a list of books you want to read (or finish reading) this fall. Your list can be as long or as short as you’d like.

Write a blog post containing your list.

Get reading! The challenge goes from today, September 23rd, through December 21st.

I'm hoping this will encourage me to read a little more than I do. I love to read, but I won't always take the time to do it. Maybe this will help. Click the words Fall into Reading 2011 above and you can connect to the linky thing and join in too.

Here's my list:

~~Escape From the World Trade Center by Leslie Haskin~~ Completed 9/24
~~The Glory of Green by Judy Christie~~ Completed 9/29
~~Sweet Waters by Julie Carobini~~ Completed 10/3
~~Love Finds You in Homestead Iowa by Melanie Dobson~~ Completed 10/8
~~A Dream Unfolding by Karen Baney~~ Completed 10/16
~~Sunrise on the Battery~~ by Beth Webb Hart 10/23
~~A Heart Renewed~~ by Karen Baney Completed 11/2
~~Kate's Kisses by Mary Manners~~ Completed 11/6
Delivered With Love by Sherry Kyle
Mysterious Ways by Terry W. Burns
The Relationship Principles of Jesus by Tom Holladay
Delivery by Diana Prusik
Cinderella by Henry W. Hewet

Chili Anyone?

2011-09-22T18:51:00.002-04:00

Joyce who runs the Wednesday Hodgepodge asked us about chili on Wednesday and she got me in the mood to have some. So I talked hubby into making some for supper. Some of you seemed surprised when I talked about having chili on spaghetti with shredded cheese on top. That's what we call a 3-way. If you add onions or beans then it's called a 4-way and if you add both it's a 5 way. This is also known as Cincinnati Chili. We have several chain restaurants in our area with this as their specialty.

Anyway, my hubby makes his chili, which is absolutely awesome by the way and a lot chunkier than these restaurants make. The picture below shows how I like to eat it. Yummy! Just thought I'd share.

Oh and by the way, hubby took this picture with his phone so he could text it to our daughter who is a 1,000 miles away at college in a place that does not do 3-ways. Can you say, jealous much? hahaha

The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman

2011-09-21T21:36:00.000-04:00

A Land of Canaan Series The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman published by Thomas Nelson

Book Description: Katie Ann lost the love of her life. Then God offers her a new beginning in Colorado.

Katie Ann Stolzfus lives in the small Amish community of Canaan, Colorado. At forty she is widowed and raising her first child. But baby Jonas will never know his father, and Katie Ann wonders if her Heavenly Father hasn't forgotten about her as well. Is it really God's plan for her to be a single parent?

Eli Detweiler has come to Canaan for a wedding and a long vacation. Having raised six children following the death of his young wife, Eli is finally an empty-nester. He's enjoying the slower pace of having no one to care for but himself.

When Katie Ann and Eli meet, there is an instant connection. Yet as strong as the attraction is, they both acknowledge that a romance would never work. He is done parenting, while she has just begun.

But as their friendship slowly blossoms into feelings that are as frightening as they are intoxicating, Katie Ann and Eli question if the plans they made for themselves are in line with God's plans.

Can Katie Ann entrust her heart to another man, and rediscover the wonder of God's love?

My Thoughts: This is a really great book if you love reading about the Amish. The characters were written very well and I loved the story line. Katie Ann was trying to learn to trust God with her life again after all that had happened to her. She also had to learn to trust people again too and to trust herself to be capable to raise her son. There was a lot of attempted matchmaking going on too with some humor involved. I loved each of the characters and was sorry to see the book end. I feel like I've left my new friends and I'm not ready to. I definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a good read.

You can visit the author at BethWiseman.com

I received this book in e-book format free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2011-09-21T06:00:00.003-04:00

Why don't you join in with us for some Wednesday HodgePodge Fun. We really do have fun playing along and learning more about each other. Just click the button above when you're finished reading and commenting on my post. :)

1. Do you like chili? Red or white? Beans or no beans? Spice or no spice? Toppings?

Yes, I love chili. Both red and white, but especially red. I prefer no beans and I like mine fairly mild. I love cheese on my chili and I love my chili on spaghetti noodles. Come on, we're know for our three-ways in this area where I live.

2. Red~Orange~Gold...your favorite fall color?
Red, I love trees with red leaves.

3. Who did you idolize when you were growing up?
My aunts who played the piano. I have 3 that were my favorites. Joy, Diane and Lou. They each are awesome ladies and can play the piano unbelievably and I have always wanted to play like them. I do okay when I play, but I have never quite reached their abilities.

4. When was the last time you did something 'arts and craftsy'? Share please.
Probably last winter. I seem to be more crafty in the winter time. I like to crochet and stuff in the winter. Actually I just remember I went to a cardmaking party last spring and made some greeting card.

5. What's a place that makes you really nervous?
The Doctor's Office. I hate going to the doctor and I can't keep my blood pressure down because I'm always so worked up and nervous.

6. Horse back riding...yay or nay (neigh?)
Nay. I rode a few times when I was a child, but I don't think I'd have the nerve to get on a horse now.

7. What is your favorite cliche?
Well, I can't think of too many right now, but I like this one. "There's no place like home." I love my home. It's the place I'm most comfortable and can just be myself.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Our Ladies Bible Study is "The Inheritance" by Beth Moore. She's teaching us that we are an heiress. Pretty cool to be an heiress of God and co-heir of Jesus Christ. Can you even imagine what that means? Anything that we can imagine, sells the real thing short because the Bible says:

1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

I can imagine a lot, but it's going to far surpass all that! Sometimes I can hardly wait!

Have a great day!