Hurricane Hodge Podge - Vol 100

This week we will be experiencing the three H's.  Halloween, Hurricanes, and oh yeah...Hodgepodge Vol 100.  I agree with Joyce in that it only seems appropriate that a hurricane should strike just as  Hodgepodge hits 100. It is also kind of spooky that Hodge Podge falls on Halloween and it is the big 100th volume.  I love doing this each week.  I love reading everyone's answers and sharing a small part of their lives.  If you want to join in then go to Joyce's blog and see what everyone else thought.  It is a nice way to spend a morning....or afternoon.
 Here are this week's questions for Volume 100...and my answers:

1. What creeps you out?  You mean besides bugs, snakes, and boiled okra?  Halloween costumes.  I don't like to see them hanging in the store....I don't like to see them on people.  I don't love Halloween.  It is a creepy holiday.  I am perfectly content to skip on over it and head straight for Thanksgiving....one of my favorite holidays.
2. What's your least favorite candy?  My least favorite candy is licorice.  I don't like to see people eating it.  I don't like the smell.  I don't like it period.
3. Are you a fan of scary movies? What's the scariest movie you've ever seen?  I do not like scary movies....Night of the Living Dead, Cujo, Christine, Plague of the Zombies, the Exorcist...and Wait Until Dark all scared the daylights out of me.  The three worse and why....Plague of the Zombies....I saw at the drive-in....the boy in the back seat reached up and ran his fingers through my hair....and I nearly stomped him to death.  Cujo's story....was sitting in my car one night after my college class ended reading with the parking lot light....the security guard and his German Sheppard were making rounds....the dog jumped up on the side of my car....and he and I both came unglued.  Christine's story....my grandfather had a car that looked just like it.....it was stored in a shed/garage next to the bedroom I slept in.  My grandfather was in the shed unbeknownst to me and cranked the car.  I did not sleep all night.  Nope...scary movies are definitely not for me.
4. What part of life confuses you the most?  The whys about things.  Like...why did my mom have Altzheimers?  Why did my dad....and babies have cancer?  Why do children die?   Why does retirement keep getting further and further away it seems? 
5. Pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, poppy...what's your favorite seed?  I love them all....but since being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in May....I leave them all alone.
6. Imagine your life ten years from today...what's changed?  Hopefully....I am retired....and traveling.....a lot!
7. What do you a) love the most and b) like the least about the Hodgepodge?   I love the questions....and reading the answers....and answering the questions.  There is nothing I can offer up for being my least favorite.  I look forward to Wednesdays...and Hodge Podge.
8. Insert your own random thought here.  What was your favorite costume and candy when you were a child?  Our costumes were never store bought.  They were always homemade.  I was a hobo many years because it was easy to do.  I do remember one year getting a witches costume from Grants.  It was in a box with a plastice scary face mask.  I cannot stress enough how much I dislike Halloween.  My favorite candy...that is a Halloween candy is caramel corn.  Love them!  What about you?  Our church is participating in the Roanoke Fall Festival tonight.  It is from 4 - 7 and I will be late getting there.....but will be working our churches booth.  Happy Halloween to you!

Love's Journey Home

About The Book:  Did you ever get a second chance?  It’s been seven years since her husband died, but Helen Crouch is doing just fine. She’s selling her jams and canned goods at the bakery and making a tidy living. But her whole world goes topsy-turvy when a new family moves to town and her son, Edmond, shows out at a parade endangering Gabriel Glesses daughter.   Gabriel Gless has brought his children to Bliss Creek to escape the worldly influences in Indiana. Helen and Gabriel have so much in common—the loss of their beloved spouses, the experience of raising their families alone, their rock-solid faith—so why can’t they seem to speak without arguing?  Meanwhile, Helen’s good friend Annie Plank is still reeling from the death of her husband when Gabriel’s son Isaac walks into her bakery and into her heart. But how can she trust God with her future when she knows how easily dreams can be ripped apart?  And that’s not all that’s going on in Bliss Creek this summer. In the middle of a punishing drought, the community is faced with the decision to uproot their families and establish a new settlement. As families struggle to say goodbye, each one must find the faith to follow the Lord’s direction.  Join the families of Bliss Creek in the dramatic conclusion to their story, and discover with them the joy of finding home.

About The Author:  Kelly Irvin is the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series, which includes To Love and To Cherish, A Heart Made New, which is slated to release in October 2012, and Love’s Journey Home, which will debut in January 2013. She recently signed with Harvest House Publishing for a three-book spin-off series entitled the New Hope Amish.  Kelly has also penned two romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine, published by Five Star Gale in 2010 and 2011.  The Kansas native is a member of ACFW, Sisters in Crime, and Alamo City Christian Writers. In addition to the ACFW annual conference, she has attended the Glorieta Writers Conference in Glorieta, New Mexico. She also serves as secretary of the ACFW San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers.   A graduate of the University of Kansas’ William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly has been writing nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso, where she was exposed to culture and language that serves as fodder for her fiction writing. She has written hard news, features, entertainment pieces, restaurant critiques, editorials, and weekly columns. Writing awards include the Silver Star Award from the Texas Mental Health Association for articles pertaining to mental health and numerous awards in news, feature, and editorial writing from the Texas Press Association and Texas Press Women. For nearly eighteen years, she has worked in public relations for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, where her duties include writing and designing an employee newsletter, writing news releases, collaborating on marketing campaigns, coordinating ribbon-cuttings and groundbreakings, coordinating press conferences, updating the web site, and acting as a media spokesperson. She also proofreads trial transcripts for court reporters. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-four years, and they have two young adult children. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories and read books by her favorite authors.

My Thoughts On The Book:  Even though this was the first of the trilogy that I have read it was easy to pick up on the characters and understand the stories that were interwoven in the book.  This was a wonderful book and Irvin definitely has a gift with words.  Once I began reading the book I was hooked and actually did not sleep one night so I could finish the story.  I loved all the characters and felt as if I knew each one personally.  My heart grieved for Annie, Helen, Gabriel and Issac as they struggled to overcome all the obstacles in their paths and find true love.  This is a must read and I cannot wait to get my hands on the first two in the series so I can read them.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the NetGalley Publishing Group and Harvest House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest 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.

 

Sunshiney Day...NOT!

 

 

 

My blogging buddy, Debbie was given an award and since she does not forward them on she opened it up to any of her readers.  Since today is so cold and dreary I thought it would be a great day to do something fun.  If you want to join in feel free to.  I am not going to forward it either....so if you decide to play just grab the award and answer the questions. If you don't want to post on your blog then leave me your answers in my comment section.   I can't wait to see what you all say.  Ok...here are the questions....and my answers:

 

1.  What is your favorite Christmas Holiday Movie?  I have two.  Actually I have more than that...but I can't get through Christmas without seeing, "It's a Wonderful Life" and "White Christmas".  I also love "Miracle on 34th Street."  BTW...I do not like "A Christmas Story." 

 

 

2.  What is your favorite flower?  My mom and my best friend's mom raised orchids.  I grew up loving the dainty little flowers as the Florida wind would make them dance from their hanging places.  I still love them. 

3.  What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?  Unsweet tea!

4.  What is your passion?  Writing and Shooting pictures

5.  What is your favorite time of year?  That is simple....fall.  I love the crispness in the air and I adore the colors.

 

6.  What is your favorite time of day?  I have too....sunrise....because the day is fresh and new....and sunset...because the day is over.

 

 

7.  What is your favorite physical activity?  Bowling and Frank and I do that every Thursday night at Idletime on the Thursday Night Christian League.  It is a great time with great people.

8.  What is your favorite vacation?  I can honestly say I have never had a bad one....anywhere I got...with family or friends is a favorite vacation....whether it  be Ireland, Hawaii, Italy, Florida,  or Disney World with Frank (our first real vacation together).  I love to travel....I would say it too is a passion.  I love spending time with good friends and loved one.  It does not get much better than this.

 

 

 

 

Project 365-Week 43

The year is winding down and I am looking forward to Thanksgiving.  I have so much to be thankful for this year.  It also means a few days off.  That never hurts my feelings.  Project 365 is a lot of fun and a great way to chronicle the week.  If you want to join in it is never to late.  Just click here and jump over to Sara's site and look at what everyone else did.  There are some amazing photos...and some amazing stories.  You won't want to miss out on either.

Sunday, October 21st

This was Frank's sign for the week.  I thought it was kind of cute.

 

Monday, October 22nd 

 Frank got a new sign for his business and framed it up nicely.  It sits at the edge of our driveway and looks lovely.  I think it will definitely be seen.  Don't you?

Tuesday, October 23rd

 Roanoke is having a huge Fall Festival on Halloween.  Each business is putting up decorations reflecting what they do.  I have tried for over a week to get this shot but the parking spots were always taken when I made it back to town or it was too dark.  I managed to get the beauty shop today.

 

Wednesday, October 24th

This little lady was enjoying her afternoon coffee when I came through.  As can see from the sunset in the window it was getting late.  I hope she is drinking de-caf or she will be up all night.

Thursday, October 25th

We prebowled this week because I had a special choir practice.  I decided to make Mandarin Orange bread when I got home.  I thought I would include the recipe if you feel like getting adventurous.  It was delicious.

Friday, October 26th

 

This is what my fifth block class looked like on Friday.  I normally do not have any vacant seat.  Between the band, football team, and cheerleaders I lost a sizeable chunk of my kids.  Our football team played in Eufaula for Regional Championship tonight the and our girls Volleyball team played in Montgomery for the Area Championship at noon today.  Students were excused if they went to the game and saw either Mr. Reyes or Coach Rob.  The football team won their game, but the Volleyball team lost.  Frank and I went to Party City and Sams to get supplies for our booth at the Fall Festival.

 

Saturday, October 27th

 

 

Frank and I were up early on Saturday getting ready to go to a Burgess Family Reunion at Cheaha.  Cheaha is the tallest point in Alabama. It was so very cold when we got there.  We got the spot ready for the rest of the family and then we built a fire in one of the grills after we gathered some wood.  Glenda and I walked down to the lake and I caught some shots of her staring at the water and the leaves.  I got Marcie collecting wood, Frank enjoying the fire and Tula trying to stay warm.  Before you ask....no I am not a Burgess.....but a lot of our church members are....AND I actually went to school from the sixth grade in West Palm Beach with one of the cousins.  We found each other sometime over the year on Facebook through the Forest Hill High School reunion page and we only live about an hour from each other.  How funny is that?  Gina and her parents were there and I really enjoyed catching up with her.  Her dad used to manage the Publix we shopped at when I was younger.  They lived two blocks over from us in Mrs. Carlson's sixth grade class together.  It defintely is a small world.  Did I mention that I love family reunions....even if they aren't mine.  You learn alot about people at them.  I have had a wonderful week and am looking forward to next week. See you next Sunday with another week in photos.  Have a good one!

Heaven Changes Everything

About The Book: 

A shattered leg, kidney stones and a lump diagnosed as hyperplasia. Times were tough, money was scarce and the bills and frustrations were piling up. It was into this stressful life that God sent Todd and Sonja Burpo an interruption in the form of a life-threatening illness and emergency surgery for their almost four-year-old son, Colton - an interruption that would include his unforgettable journey to heaven.

How did they cope? And how can they help us keep thoughts of eternity in mind in the midst of our own overly busy, stressed out lives?

In Heaven Changes Everything: Living Every Day with Eternity in Mind Todd and Sonja share their family's responses and reactions to the Heaven Is for Real experience in fifty unique inspirational readings based on excerpts from their story. They answer questions about what it's like to struggle with and question God, to doubt, to even get angry with Him and they offer their own insights into what God might be doing with those interruptions he allows into our lives.

Each reading closes with a scripture to provide biblical reinforcement of the ideas shared and a take-away thought or action point to help you incorporate the reading's inspiration into your daily life.

Keep the hope of heaven alive in your life. Heaven truly is for real, and it changes everything

 

About The Authors:  Todd Burpo is the pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan Church in Imperial, Nebraska, where his sermons are broadcast locally every Sunday via radio. Todd also spends time working as a wrestling coach for junior and high school students, as a volunteer fire fighter, and as an administrator at Overhead Door Specialists.
Sonja Burpo is a busy mother of 3 and works at Moreland Realty as an office manager. Sonja is passionate about children’s ministry and also works side by side with her husband as an administrator for his garage door company.

 

 

My Thoughts About The Book: 
As I read the book I found myself asking if I would live my life  differently if I  knew what the ending would be? In the Burpo's book Heaven Is For Real, their 4-year old Colton Burpo makes a trip to Heaven and his story is told. In this  book, Heaven Changes Everything  the Burpo's share 42 inspirational daily readings based on excerpts from Heaven Is For Real.   The readings share  personal experiences and thoughts based on their story and their lives.  The readings offer comfort and encouragement for everyday life such as financial difficulty, stress and parenting. Each reading is designed to help you live "every day with eternity in mind."  This book would be a great gift for just about anyone and a wonderful teaching tool.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Book Sneeze Blogging Program. I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest 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.

A Home For Lydia

 

 

About The Book:  A Home for Lydia, the second book in a new romantic series from popular author Vannetta Chapman, centers again on the Plain community of Pebble Creek and the kind, caring people there. As they face challenges to their community from the English world, they come together to reach out to their non-Amish neighbors while still preserving their cherished Plain ways.  Aaron Troyer simply wants to farm like his father and grandfather before him. But instead he finds himself overseeing the family's small group of guest cabins nestled along the banks of Pebble Creek. That also means he must work with the cabins' housekeeper, Lydia Fisher. Lydia is the most outspoken Amish woman Aaron has ever met, and she has strong opinions about how the guest cabins are to be run. She also desperately needs this job. Though sparks fly between boss and employee at first, when the cabins are robbed, nothing is more important to Aaron than making sure Lydia is safe.  Together they work to make the vacation property profitable, but can they find out the identity of the culprit before more damage is done? And is Lydia's dream of a home of her own more than just a wish and a prayer?

About The Author:  Vannetta Chapman writes fiction full of GRACE. She has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather's birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her first novel, A Simple Amish Christmas, quickly became a bestseller. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.  For more information, visit her at her webpage --www.VannettaChapman.com; her blog -- http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com  her facebook page  --www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks, and on pinterest -- http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman.

My Thoughts About The Book:  The book was touching.  The story of Lydia and her family was heart breaking.  I felt as if I had know Lydia, Miriam, and their families forever.  This was one of those books where you don't plan to put it down until you are finished.  Chapman did a wonderful job making her characters real.  If you are a fan of Amish literature then this is a must read for you. 

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the NetGalley Publishing Group and Harvest House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest 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.

Five Minute Friday - Voice

We write for five minutes flat. All on the same prompt that I post here at 1 minute past midnight EST every Friday. And we connect on Twitter with the hashtag #FiveMinuteFriday
No extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation. The cool thing is that it is unscripted. Unedited. Real.  It started because Lisa-Jo had been thinking about writing and how often our perfectionism gets in the way of our words. And she figured, why not take 5 minutes and see what comes out: not a perfect post, not a profound post, just five minutes of focused writing.  So now on Fridays a group of people who love to throw caution to the wind and just write without worrying if it’s just right gather to share what five minutes buys them. Just five minutes.  Your words. This shared feast.
Our most important requirement for participation: There’s really only one absolute, no ifs, ands or buts about it Five Minute Friday rule: you must visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community.  OK, are you ready? Won’t you please give me your best five minutes on:::

Voice

Go:

My thoughts are muddled with ideas about voice.....I am woman hear me roar.  I was a huge fan of that song when it first came out because I so wanted to be that woman...one who was not afraid to use her voice to make a difference.....but alas I was not.  It took me many years to find the courage to use the voice, or voices inside me.  You see I have been given many voices....one to gab with, one to teach with, one to speak up with,  one to write with, one to sing with.  I love it when my voice is stong and makes chills rise on someones arms...whether I am speaking, singing, or writing.  I love it when I use my voice to be heard against some injustice.  I love to use my voice to tell people about MY AWESOME GOD!  This is my story....this is my song...praising my Savior....all the day long!  There is a piece of a bible verse that says, " listen to his voice, and hold fast to him."  I wish I could tell you where it comes from...but I cannot.  I just know that if I am still and listen....I will hear His voice.  I use Hwy 22 on my way to and from work to listen for the Voice.  Oh yes...I love to use my voice.  I sing because I am happy....I sing because I am free....for His eye is on the sparrow....and I know He's watching me.....and yes when I sing....my voice is definitely heard.  I have a voice with a broad range and lots of volume.  I rarely need a microphone to be heard.  I guess that is the teacher in me....learning to have my voice heard over 30 talkative students. November 6th I will use my voice to vote for the President of the United States.  I don't take that voice lightly either.  It is a voice that I think is very important and I don't take it for granted.  How about you?

STOP: 

Time seemed to fly by today.....Hope you have a great week and I will see you again next week.  Until then....Vaya Con Dios!

Babycakes

About The Book:  Kit Bellamy was raised on pie. Mamie Sue’s Peanut Pies, to be exact, the family company her scheming brother-in-law sold out from under her. Now Kit needs a new recipe for her life—and sleepy Sugarberry Island is the first ingredient. Running mail-order cupcake business Babycakes is a chance to get her baking on again—until she meets tall, dark, and adorable lawyer Morgan Westlake. New to the island to raise his goddaughter, he’s as mouthwatering as any of Kit’s creations. It’s just her luck that he’s the spawn of the very law firm that helped crush her dreams…   Fortunately, Kit’s new friends can assure her that Morgan is no typical Westlake—and that even lawyers, not to mention single dads, need romance. If Kit can just be persuaded to follow her appetite—and set another place at her holiday table—her sweetest dreams just might come true…

About The Author: Donna Kauffman is a USA Today bestselling author of over 50 published books and an erstwhile baker.  In attempting to research her new Cupcake Club Romance book series set in a cupcake bakery, and run by a former highly esteemed pastry chef, she immersed herself in the world of all things cupcakes!  Through her blog, she  journals her attempts to learn about baking, pastry, and all delectable things made with butter, flour, and sugar. One cupcake at a time! There are wonderful photos, recipes, and laughs.  the Cupcake Club consists of three books to date:  Cupcake Club #1, SUGAR RUSH, and Cupcake Club #2, SWEET TALK, are available now! Book #3….BABYCAKES is coming October, 2012! (And look for HONEY PIE in 2013!)  Be sure to check out her wonderful blog.  Believe me it is definitely worth the effort.

My Thoughts On The Book:  I adored this book.  I loved Kit and felt a strong bond with her from the beginning.  This book, although a third in a series, is a stand alone.  I had no trouble connecting each character.  Donna Kauffman is a master wordsmith.  The down-home charm of this book make it a fun read.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the NetGalley Publishing Group and Kensington Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest 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.


Wyoming Bride

About The Book:  This is the sensational second novel in Joan Johnston’s new Western historical romance series set in the world of Bitter Creek.  The recurring question in the story is can secrets and second chances ever lead to love?  After three months in a mail-order marriage, Hannah Wentworth McMurtry is a widow—pregnant, alone, and near death in the Wyoming wilderness. Though she is saved by a man with a face cut from stone, she still grieves the husband who died on their journey west. Hannah needs a husband, but does she dare marry another stranger?  Flint Creed has also lost someone he loved—when the woman he hoped to marry chose his younger brother instead. Now he must find a ranch wife of his own. But every female in the remote Wyoming Territory is too old, too young, or already married . . . until he discovers Hannah on the prairie. Flint doesn’t pretend to love her, but he doesn’t tell her he loves another woman, either. Hannah doesn’t pretend to love him, but she doesn’t tell him about the child she carries. Though danger surrounds them on the Wyoming frontier, the greatest threats of all are the secrets within—revelations that could destroy the new life Hannah and Flint have begun to cherish.

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About The Author:  One of the most popular romance writers in America today, former attorney and college professor Joan Johnston has over 10 million books in print world-wide – including the New York Times bestsellers SISTERS FOUND, THE COWBOY, THE TEXAN, THE LONER, THE NEXT MRS. BLACKTHORNE and NO LONGER A STRANGER.. The Price represented a milestone in Johnston’s career as her first hardcover original.  Joan Johnston has an eclectic background. Now the bestselling, award-winning author of forty-five novels, she was formerly an attorney with Hunton & Williams in Richmond, Virginia and Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in Miami, Florida. Joan also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, as a director of theatre in Southwest Texas, and as a college professor, most recently at the University of Miami, Florida. Joan has a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida, an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois in Urbana and received her J.D. with honors from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law.  Joan loves to travel and visited England and Scotland to do research for her Captive Hearts series (Captive, After the Kiss, The Bodyguard and The Bridegroom). She also made journeys to Tahiti, Australia and Bali–for a South Seas, WWII novel that she hopes to write. Joan’s books have appeared on the New York Times, USA TODAY and Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller Lists.  For her Bitter Creek series, Joan toured the legendary King Ranch in South Texas and took a course on tracking (humans and animals!) from a Deputy Marshal deep in the Big Bend country of West Texas. She also traveled to Australia to tour the big cattle stations there and see what life is like Down Under.  Joan is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America and Florida Romance Writers. She divides her time between homes in Colorado and South Florida.  Johnston recently became a grandmother for the second time. Her daughter, a teacher, lives in the Tampa area. Her son, a budding novelist, lives in Orlando.

My Thoughts On The Book:  I fell in love with gutsy Hannah from the beginning of the book.  Her devotion to family and will to protect them was intriguing.  I usually hate coming into a series after it has started but I had no trouble getting up to speed on who the characters were, their relationships,  and what was going on.  Johnstons characters are very believable and lifelike. This was a great read and I did not want to put it down once the story began and whirled me up inside it.  I would recommend this book to anyone who loves western romance settings.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the NetGalley Publishing Group and Random House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest 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.


Hodge Podge - Vol 99

Welcome to the 99th edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Be sure to add your link at the end of Joyce's post by clicking here and then go see what everyone is saying. The neat thing about Hodgepodge is is that we're all friends here....or at least it feels that way to me.  According to Joyce,
"Politicians could take a lesson from us Hodgepodgers. We don't all agree, but we do keep it friendly." Here are my answers for this week:

1. So, do you like beer?  Nope, Not now or ever.  I think it smells and tastes gross.  Back in the day when all my 18 year old friends(that was the legal age then) were drinking beer I was drinking Cuba Libre(Rum and Coke) or Boone's Farm Strawberry Wine(I detest that also).  BTW...I never drank until I was of legal age.

2. What's your least favorite repetitive task?  I have to agree with Joyce on this one.  I despise emptying the dishwasher.  There's only two of us here most of the time so why is it always full?
3. When was the last time you rode in a bus? Where was it headed?
I think it was New England on Martha's Vineyard on the 2011 SMAK trip.  Bus transportation was better than walking.  It was quite a learning experience and we rode it all over the island and it was a great way to see the place.  When we got to Nantucket....we decided we had had enough of the bus and rented a car to explore the island.  OOPS....KLAMS trip to Niagara Falls 2012....we took the Big Red Bus siteseeing tour to see Toronto.  We decided to ride up top so we could see everything clearly.  Loved it.  If you EVER visit somewhere for a first time....it is a great idea to take the siteseeing bus, the trolley...etc....see everything there is to see...and then pick and choose what you want to go back and do again.  I have see some great things that way.  In Los Angeles one year I was a single mom and so broke...and at a conference and everyone was going on this 90.00 siteseeing trip I could not afford.  I talked to the concierge at the hotel and he gave me the public bus routes and gave me a quick lesson in transfers and where everything was.  I saw more for less.  MY whole experience only cost me 3.75 and I came back with wonderful stories that the ones on the 90.00 half day bus did not have.

4. What song from your childhood or from your own children's childhood could make a parent's nerves stand on end?  Again I have to agree with Joyce, I despise Barney and his nasally voice singing."I love you, you love me, we're a happy family..."  It sends chills up my spine to hear that song.....even today and my daughter is 32!

5. The US Presidential election cycle is drawing to a close (can I get an AMEN??), and the third and final debate was held last night....what was the last thing you 'debated about'?  Should I clean the house....or read the new Amish book I just got....Amish book won.  I know....I should be ashamed of myself....but I am not.

6. Can a person make too much money? How much is too much?   No...Can I person spend too much money?  Yes.  Can a person earn so much they waste a lot of money?  Definitely.Can a person who makes 'too much money' also do a lot of good in this world?  Yes.  Do they?  Not always.  It is usually the ones who don't that do the most for those without.  At least it does to me.

7. Pop-soda-coke-something else...what's it called where you live?  Where I grew up it was a soda.  ...if I say I want a coke I mean I want an honest to goodness name brand COKE, not a Pepsi or just any old soft drink. I hate when I order a Coke in a restaurant and they bring me Pepsi.  That is NOT what I asked for.  Where I live now....when they say COKE...they mean anything brown and carbonated.

8. Insert your own random thought here. Frank and I went to see "Pitch Perfect" Friday night.  It is a movie about acapella groups.  Do you like acapella music?  If so....drop me a comment and tell me who your favorite group is.  Click here and you can see my all time favorite.  Have a wonderful rest of the week.  I am planning to.

A Quilt for Jenna

 

About The Book:  Amish + Quilts = readers delight! And in this first book in Patrick Craig's Apple Creek Dreams series, readers will follow Jerusha Springer's journey out of tragic circumstances to a new life of hope.  Jerusha has spent months making the most beautiful quilt anyone in Apple Creek, Ohio, has ever seen, and she knows it's going to take first prize at the Quilt Fair in Dalton. The prize will be her ticket out of the Amish way of life--away from the memories of her dead daughter and her tormented husband. But on the way to the Fair, she gets caught in the Storm of The Century and Jerusha's driver crashes their car. While the driver goes for help, Jerusha is led by someone, or something, to the side of a lost little girl. By the time the storm clears, Jerusha finds there is a greater prize to be won than money and blue ribbons.  A beautiful story of loss....and redemption.

About The Author:  Patrick E. Craig - After 26 years as a pastor, worship leader, and seminar speaker, Patrick E. Craig is now focusing on writing both fiction and non-fiction books. He recently signed a three-book deal for his Apple Creek Dreams series with Harvest House Publishers. Patrick is represented by the Steve Laube Agency.

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My Thoughts On The Book:  Having read many Amish life books by women I was a bit skeptical about reading one written by a man.  I did not feel that a man could do this topic justice.  I was dead wrong.  Patrick Craig is a master at creating "real-life" people.  He took a place that really existed, used a storm that really happened, used names that were real and created the amazing story of Jerusha and her quilt.  I could not put the book down and was sad to see it come to an end.   The characters felt like friends and I found myself cheering for them throughout the story.  This is a wonderful book.  It will be out in January, 2013 and I hope you rush out and get a copy for yourself.  You will be sorry if you don't.

 

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the NetGalley Publishing Group and Harvest House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest 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.

Love Comes To Paradise

 

About The Book:  Love Comes to Paradise is the second book in bestselling author Mary Ellis’s New Beginnings series. It’s about fresh starts…and how faith in God and His perfect plans provide the peace and joy all long for.Nora King believes she is a woman in love. When Elam Detweiler leaves the ultraconservative Amish district of Harmony, Maine, and moves to Paradise, Missouri, Nora follows soon after. But does she love the man or the independence and freethinking he represents? Although she finds good work in her new town, Nora can’t seem to capture Elam’s Englisch-leaning heart, no matter how hard she tries. And then, unexpectedly, Lewis Miller comes from Harmony to offer Nora what every woman needs—a lifetime of unconditional love. As Lewis attempts to claim her heart, Elam’s interest piques. Will Nora come to her senses before Elam’s thoughtless choices ruin her reputation beyond repair?

About The Author: Mary Ellis grew up close to the eastern Ohio Amish Community, Geauga County, where her parents often took her to farmers’ markets and woodworking fairs. She and her husband now live in Medina County, close to the largest population of Amish in the country. They often take weekend trips to purchase produce, meet Amish families, and enjoy a simple way of life.
Favorite Verse: Colossians 3:13 (NLT) : Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

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My Thoughts On The Book:  This book was a different portrayal of Amish life for me.  I have read many books yet never seen it told quite this way.  When I met the character of Elam Detweiler after he left the ultraconservative district of Harmony, Maine, and moved to Paradise, Missouri I knew I would not and did not like him. Nora King, a sad little waif followed him soon after and I could not understand the draw at first.  she can  herself to Elam in comes Lewis Miller, wishing to court Nora.  Which way will she lean?.  As the story unfolds it all makes perfect sense.  This is a great book.

 

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the NetGalley Publishing Group and Harvest House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All they asked for was an honest 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.

Project 365 - Vol 42

 

 

This week has been a crazy one....I think I should title my blog....Welcome To My Crazy Life.  I can't even half remember what all I did....but I made sure I made time to enjoy some baking.....and fall!  Ten more weeks til the end of the year.  If you want to check out the rest of the gangs photos hop on over to Sara's blog and see them.  Hopefully you will think about joining us next year.  It has been an amazing ride.  Thank you Sara for this grand opportunity.

Sunday

I spent today baking crusty bread.  I am addicted to bread making.  In the last two weeks I cannot tell you how many loaves I have made....and given away.  Everyone has been real sweet sampling my new found talent and letting me know if the recipe is a keeper....or not.  So far I have only found one I did not like.  I am currently looking for some gruyere cheese to do a rosemany and gruyere loaf of the crusty bread.  I am going to bore you to death with bread and fall this week....sorry! :-)

 

Monday

I had a dentist appointment after school today and they had gone all out with decorating.  This little witch was looking over me in my room.  I love fall.

Tuesday

Tuesday we are supposed to wear pink for the month of October.  The HOSA kids (Health Occupations) designed this shirt and sold them to raise money for cancer research.  I bought one and wore it on Tuesday.  I have had a lot of comments on the shirt.

 

Wednesday

Apple cheese  bread made with my pottery baker.  It was a definite hit at school.  I think it needs some creme cheese frosting or spread to go with it.  Yummmmmo!

Thursday

Roanoke is decorating for the Fall Festival it is having on the 31st of this month.  Businesses have started putting up their scenes.  The top one is a teacher and her class of pumpkin/goard heads at the Boys and Girls Club.  The bottom picture is my new breast cancer shirt from the Coosa County Fire Association.  They are selling them to raise money for cancer research too.   I can't imagine me ordering a yellow shirt.  Yellow is my least favorite color....but Frank swears he ordered the black one.  Oh well.  I will wear it with pride.

Friday

First Baptist Churches choir of pumpkin heads and their clay pot leader.  It is priceless.

 

Saturday

Sunrise today was amazing.  It looked as if the world was on fire.  See you next week and I will try to be on time.  Have a great week.