A Marriage in Middlebury

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:  What happens when the matchmaker finds a match for herself?Charlotte Rose Hill has been serving up country delicacies, uniquely blended teas, and matchmaking advice for her quirky but beloved customers for more than 10 years. But for her, marriage seems like an elusive butterfly, always out of reach. At 18, Charlotte fell in love with a young man, Sam Wilder, but his family convinced her to walk away from their relationship. She did, and then became engaged to another man, who later died before they were married. Now, more than a decade later, Charlotte finds that she still has feelings for her first love. Initially thrilled to learn that Sam has come home to Middlebury, Texas, Charlotte is devastated to learn that he’s brought someone with him: his fiancée. But all is not lost when the townsfolk decide to get involved. Will Charlotte and Sam find their way back to each other?

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, is the author or coauthor of thirty-five books for adults and children. She has recently been honored with a 2013 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award and is a two-time finalist in the 2013 Selah Awards as well as a finalist in the 2013 Cascade Awards. She holds a BA in the combined fields of speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends. Please visit her online at www.anitahigman.com.

MY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK:  I loved this book.  The story of Charlotte and Sam was heart wrenching, yet tender and sweet.  The story is so very life-like that it is as if Higman knew this characters personally.  God's presence in this tale of misunderstandings, prejudice, and hate made the book so inspiring.  Higman is an amazing wordsmith and I really enjoy reading her work.  This was one of those books that you cannot put down until you have read the last page.  If you want to read a well-written book then this is the book for you.  Thanks Abingdon for allowing me to review this book.

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE: I received an paperback copy of this title from Netgalley as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own. Thanks guys for letting me read this and participate!

Very Special Sunday Ramblings

 

I have had an amazing Sunday.  I have amazing Sunday's often but today was off the chart.  I got up in great expectation because Kat was coming to spend the day with me.  She called as I drove toward Roanoke and surprised me with the fact that she would be attending Sunday School with me.  My heart soared.  I met her at McDonald's and then we moved her car to Walmart. I enjoyed the ride to church more than ever.  Sunday School was on Sarah and Abraham which is one of my favorite stories.  It is a prime example that God can do anything.  We ran late from Sunday School and so the service started about 10 after 11.  My message was from Luke and on the 10 lepers, 9 of which did not say thank you for being healed.  I shared a story of when I was in high school and our choir director bought donuts for us.  We devoured them as teenagers do.....and went our merry ways.  The problem was....no one said "thank you."  It is one of those moments in your life that you never forget because you were at your worst.  I know I definitely was.  When church was over I checked my phone and had a message from Frank that we were eating at the Mexican Restaurant (formerly the Hub) in Wedowee, and there would be seven of us. 

 

Kat and I got there and talked with the waiter for a long while until the restaurant began to fill up.  We all ordered and Kat and I decided to split(key word here is S-P-L-I-T) Cancun fajitas.  Boy were we surprised when both of us got our own pineapple filled with steak, chicken, and shrimp.  We were only charged for one....and needless to say there are two take out plates in my fridge.  Our waiter was absolutely the very best.  His personality was so sweet.  He made you feel as if you were family....not just a customer.  After lunch we stopped by to visit Mrs. Jean at the Inn.  Kat loves the ladies at Rock Mills and she was so tickled to get to see one of her special friends.  When we got home I taught Kat how to make the crocheted scarves I make.  I tried to teach her during Christmas last year....but she was having nothing to do with it.  This time she took off like a house on fire.  (She just texted me and said she had made seven scarves this morning!)  I am one proud momma.  The day was perfect.  Kat and Brian are going to Moldova to be Missionaries and I was feeling a bit sad cause she would not be here on my birthday (I know...selfish!).  She told me Sunday they were not going until June....my heart nearly exploded.  She stayed until 4 and we had a special moment.  When she left we go ready for church.  Tonight at 5 TRUTH is going to be in concert.  They are a Christian group of students from RCHS. 

 I am so excited about seeing their presentation.  I did not know what to expect....and believe me....by the end of their first drama....my heart was being squeezed like a turnip.  I could not keep my tears from falling down...and this was just the first number.  By the end of the performance I was not sure I would be able to pray.  This performance was amazing.  We all went to the community center and had dinner.  There was plenty for all and my day ended.....and it was amazing....from beginning to end.  I love days like this....don't you ?  I hope your day was as good as mine.

FYI - Babies Update

Well for eleven days people all over the country have been praying for these precious little ones, Kruze and Kash.  There are eleven days old today and still holding their own.  Frank and I went to see them on Monday and they were absolutely adorable.  Little Kruze when we got ready to leave pointed one finger upward and it reminded me of when I was a teenager and Christian youth would hold one finger to the sky signifying One Way.  I loved it. If you are on facebook there is a page for them called Prayers for Kruze and Kash Mccarley.  You can visit it, pray for them, with them, or just keep up with their progress.  Anyways, I thought I would show you their most current pictures.  Please continue to pray for these little ones and their families.

I also had to include one of their big brother.  He is up there this weekend spending time with his tiny little sisters.  Jett is a heartbreaker.  You cannot be around him and not fall in love with him.

Is he not adorable?    Thank you all for your continued prayers.  The little ones are not out of the woods....but they are fighting with everything they have.  They truly are little miracles and evidences that our God reigns! 





Five Minute Friday - Ordinary

It is really Saturday here.  I was out of town this week and to be honest was not in the mood to blog.  I was in the mood to spend time with my loving husband and my dear friends Chuck and Susan.  We had planned to take in the Smokey's....which thanks to our government we did not get to do like we had planned.  We still spent time together and drove less driven roads and experienced all of God's glories.  Want to know how Five Minute Friday got started and how to participate? All the details are here.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to 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? Please give us your best five minutes on the word:::

Ordinary…

Go: 

I am just an ordinary girl.  There is nothing that stands out about me that makes someone stop dead in their tracks and say, "Whoa!"  While I may be ordinary on the outside I am far from ordinary on the inside.  I have a huge heart, I hate to see people hurting, I love to help others, I love to laugh, smile. commune with God.  I am a Christian and that makes me extra-ordinary.  You see my God gave his only Son so that I am forgiven of my sins.  WOW...how extraordinary is that?  I love exquisite flowers....like orchids.....and ordinary flowers like daisies.  I am not a stunning dresser.  I wear ordinary "teacher" clothes.  I used to laugh at my SAHM when she would wear her ordinary "going to the grocery store" dress and here I am following suit in my "teacher" attire.  I dress professional for my profession....except on Friday's when we get to wear jeans and sport our Wildcat shirts.  I love ordinary days.  You know...the kind where you get up, go to work, do your job, come home and nothing out of the ordinary occurs.  Those days are so restful.  I also love a few of those days when things are chaotic and not on schedule.  I am an ordinary cook.  I love to mess around in the kitchen but have no desire to make fancy cakes and such.  I have an out of the ordinary sense of humor and speak in sarcasm from time to time.  My home is comfortable....but ordinary.  I am not an art lover, yet I love things on my walls....mostly pictures I have made of my family.  Ordinary...yep that pretty much describes me to a tee....but I would not have it any other way.  I am just an ordinary girl.  Back in the day when Miley Cyrus was Hannah Montana she did a song about being an Ordinary Girl.  I have it on my Ipad and play it from time to time just to remind myself that I am ok just like I am.  I wish she still believed this about herself.  I think she is far from ordinary now....kind of out of the ball park.  The lyrics go like this:

Don't get me wrong, I love who I am
I don't want to be ungrateful, it probably sounds strange
I really love the role I play
The songs I sing, but with all the fame

The things that seem so simple
Are suddenly so far out of reach Wish that they could see that underneath
I'm just an ordinary girl

Sometimes I'm lazy, I get bored
I get scared, I feel ignored
I feel happy, I get silly
I choke on my own words

I make wishes, I have dreams
And I still want to believe
Anything could happen in this world
For an ordinary girl

Like you, like me
For an ordinary girl
Like you, like me

How are you? Hello, goodbye
One day here, one day there, and again it's time to go
Ms. Popular, always on the roll
Put my best foot forward, gotta get on with the show

Strike a pose for the front cover of a magazine
Everywhere I arrive, I get high-fives
They pay me larger than life [YEAH!]
I'm just an ordinary girl

Sometimes I'm lazy, I get bored
I get scared, I feel ignored
I feel happy, I get silly
I choke on my own words

I make wishes, I have dreams
And I still want to believe
Anything could happen in this world
For an ordinary girl

So give it everything
Or nothing at all
Get back on your feet
When you stumble and fall

A little luck can go a long way
So don't you worry 'bout what people say
Who knows where the wind may blow
For an ordinary girl [Mmmm]

I'm just an ordinary girl

Sometimes I'm lazy, I get bored
I get scared, I feel ignored [Yeah!]
I feel happy, I get silly
I choke on my own words

I make wishes, I have dreams
And I still want to believe
Anything could happen in this world
For an ordinary girl

Like you, like me
For an ordinary girl
Like you, like me
For an ordinary girl

For an ordinary girl
Like me, like you

 

 

Thursdays Tasty Tidbits

It is fall and I am in the baking mood.  I have been outdoing myself in the kitchen and thought I would share some of my tasty finds with you all today.  I love pretty much anything with pumpkin or apple in it so that is my theme for these fall recipes.  One of my favorite things to make is pumpkin bread.  It is easy, it is good, and it is a great comfort food.

 

My recipe makes  3 - 7x3 inch loaf pans or a 1 med/lg bread crock(my favorite)

Ingredients:

 

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

4eggs

1 cupvegetable oil

2/3 cup water

3 cups white sugar (I sub in Splenda because I am diabetic)

3 1/2 cupsall-purpose flour

2 teaspoonsbaking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoonground ginger

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7x3 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
3. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

FYI can fancy this up with icing, glaze, drizzle, or sprinkling confectioners sugar on it.

 My second favorite thing to make and eat would have to be fried apple pies.  I love them.  You can make them with any kind of fruit....but apples make the best.

 

Aunt Virginia's Fried Pies

Ingredients:

Pie Dough:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 cup shortening, chilled and cut into pieces
• 1 1/2 sticks cold butter, diced
• 4 to 8 tablespoons ice water
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

Filling:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 Braeburn apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks (about 1 pound)
• 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks (about 1 pound)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Scant 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Pinch ground ginger
• Pinch ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• Oil, for frying
• 1 egg

Directions:

For the pie dough: Combine the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the shortening and butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Add in the ice water and vinegar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse until the mixture just comes together. Turn the dough out onto a large piece of plastic wrap and press into a large disc. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

For the filling: Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium-high heat and then saute the apples, stirring, until just starting to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the sugar and stir. Add the cinnamon, salt, ginger and nutmeg and cook, stirring, until some of the apples start to break apart (but most are still whole), about 4 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and remove from the heat. Set aside to cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Fill a deep pot halfway with oil and heat to 365 degrees F. Roll the dough out 1/8-inch thick on a lightly-floured surface. Cut out eighteen 4 1/2-inch-diameter circles, gathering and re-rolling the dough if necessary. Beat the egg in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon of water. Place about 1 heaping tablespoon of the apple filling into the center of each dough round. Brush the edge with some egg mixture and fold the dough over to make a half-moon shape. Press out the air and seal the edges with a fork. Repeat with the remaining filling and dough.

Place 4 to 6 pies at a time into the hot oil and cook until golden brown, flipping as needed, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Cook's Note: The pies can be frozen for up to 6 months before frying. Frozen pies will take about 8 minutes to fry. You can also refrigerate the pies for up to 2 hours before frying.

FYI - These are good solo, with ice cream, with a cup of coffee or glass of milk. 

 

 

Last but not least is my other favorite fruit....blueberries.  I can eat them til I am sick.  My mom used to make this cheating cobbler/cake when we had covered dish things. she made it often because she knew how much I loved blueberries.  My aunt would make it and use cherries and pineapple....my mom's were always blueberry.  This is the simplest of simple recipes.

 

 

Momma's Blueberry Dump Cake

Ingredients:

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix

4 cups fresh blueberries

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoonground cinnamon

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Mix berries, sugar, and cinnamon in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan. Cover berries with dry cake mix. Pour butter over cake mix, do not stir.
3. Bake for 30 minutes, or until light brown. Serve warm or cold. top with ice cream.

I hope you will at least try one and let me know how it turns out.  Bon Appetit!

Wednesday Hodgepodge on Fall Break

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge!  I'm so glad you're joining the fun here...be sure to add your link to Joyce's blog before you go a-visiting.  Here are my answers-

1. The USA will mark Columbus Day on Monday, October 14th this year...what's something you need or want to explore (literally or metaphorically speaking)?
Scotland, Ireland, and Germany would be the places I want to explore.  As I grow into being a pastor I want to continue exploring my faith, the Bible, and the spiritual side of my life.  I want to explore relationships I have had in the past, have now, and hope to develop in the future. 

 2. The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, Ursula from The Little Mermaid, or Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty...who do you most love to hate?
Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, although I actually love to hate all three.

 3. Is open-mindedness a virtue?
I would think so.  Being open-minded means you are willing to listen and do.  You may not change your opinion....but at least you heard the other parties viewpoint.  I wish our government would be a little more open-minded right now.  I was barred from Cades Cove this past week.  That made me sad.

 4. How often do you weigh yourself?
When I go to the doctor.  I know what I way by the way my clothes fit....or don't.

 5. This question comes to you courtesy of Rebecca over at Making Memories, so thanks Rebecca!
Costa Rica was recently named the happiest country in the world on The Happy Planet Index.  What's the happiest country in the world to you, and what makes it so?
I have been to Costa Rica and it is a very happy place.  Pura Vida is their reply to everything.  The beauty and simplicity of the country make it a lovely place to visit.  Italy would be my other choice.  The Smoky Mountains are my happy place here in the states. 
 6. Besides The Bible, what is one book you think should be mandatory reading for every high school student?
As an English/Spanish teacher I think students should read a collection of all the classics.  Fitzgerald, Cather, Shakespeare, Cervantes, Wordsworth, Byron, Beowulf....I wish reading was a subject to itself.  I think if it were then students would love doing it more.

 7. I went shopping at some nearby outlets last week, and while I was there, I picked up a couple of Christmas gifts. How about you? Have you started your holiday shopping yet?
I shop all year long.  By Thanksgiving I am usually through.  I detest Black Friday.  I am not going to fight anyone over a gift.  They are supposed to be bought with love....not malice.  I love to buy when I find just the ideal gift for someone.  I do save a few small items for during Christmas so I can hear the music playing, see the carolers at the mall and get that holiday spirit pumping.

 8. Insert your own random thought here.
When do you decorate your Christmas tree and when do you take it down?  My mom never put the tree up until Christmas Eve and it came down New Years Eve.  I usually put mine up the first weekend in December and take it down on New Years Eve so I can start the New Year out clean.  How about you? 

A Christmas Gift for Rose

 

About the book: Rose turned her back on the man she loves after he assisted the Englisch during World War II---only to discover she's an Englischer herself. Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But she is overwhelmed by self-doubt when she learns that she was born Englisch and abandoned when her family moved West in search of work. Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own kind---Englischers? When the man she loves leaves her behind, Rose is certain he left for good. Yet Rose discovers sometimes our greatest gifts are the ones we fear.  Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/pfhBl

About the Author:  USA Today best-selling author Tricia Goyer is the author of over 35 books, including the three-book Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and "Lead Your Family Like Jesus," (co-written with Ken Blanchard). She has written over 500 articles for national publications and blogs for high traffic sites like TheBetterMom.com and MomLifeToday.com. She is the host of Living Inspired, a weekly radio show. Tricia and family live in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have six children. You can find out more about Tricia at www.TriciaGoyer.com.

My Thoughts About the Book:  As a big fan of Tricia Goyer I was delighted to get to read and review this book.  The story was everything I would have expected from Goyer and more.  It was a poignant story of an Amish woman and her search for God, her identity, and love. A Christmas Gift for Rose is an amazing story of love, faith and family just in time for the Christmas season. This book will definitely pull at your heartstrings. I know it did mine.  A short and quick read, this is the book you will want to share with all your friends and family.  Warning:  Be sure to have a box of Kleenex near because you will need them before the story is over.

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE: I received an paperback copy of this title from Litfuse as part of their blogger review program . I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own. Thanks guys for letting me read this and participate!