Construction update

Most of you know that on November 27th, we went to daughters to install new flooring and cabinets, only to find we had to gut the kitchen, bathroom, and hallway, and put new joists, sills and sill plates in, before doing anything else.  Also the plumbing and electrical was a mess.
We now have the sub floors back in, and the bathtub/shower installed, the walls to the bathroom are up, but still lack the sheet rock  The new electrical is mostly done, so tomorrow we will put up sheet rock on outside wall of the kitchen and bath.  It is going back together, just more slowly than daughter had hoped.

So Sad!

Have you ever had a favorite piece of clothing, that finally got so worn and ratty, that it is almost unwearable?  But, you don't want to give it up?

I'm at that point, with an old 'house coat', or cover-up, that I just love....I purchased  it at a yard sale about 3 years ago, and I would say that there have been few times I haven't worn it in the evening, since that time.  And I reach for it first thing in the morning, almost every day.  Of course, this means that it hits the laundry at least twice a week...The seams are frayed, and threadbare now....and I noticed last night that the yoke in the back is separated.  But it is so soft and comfortable that I can't even think of throwing it out....just yet.

Hubby says it looks like a tent, lol, and I would bet he'd gladly put it in the stove, when my back is turned....

This book grabbed me the moment I read the first page, and didn't let go until I finished the last page.
Marielle  marries Carson, a widower with 2 young children, she moves into the home of his first wife's family, including the grandmother of his first wife, who owns the home.  Adelaide is in her 90s, and thinks the house has a spirit of it's own.
Holly Oak, built in the 1850s, was  the scene of several tragic happenings, during the Civil War, and people say that Susannah, the grandmother of Adelaide, is still present in the home in spirit.
I won't spoil this for the reader who loves a good story, so all I can say, is if you love a good mystery, with flashbacks to the past, get this book.

I was given a copy of this book by WaterBrook Press to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  I'm not required to give a positive review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.



.

Happy Birthday, Christmas lights, and more

Happy Birthday to my sister in Christ, Diana, of Nana Diana Takes a Break...We are only a few days apart in age, me being the oldest so I get to tell her what to do...
Yeah, Right.
And

No, this isn't my house, mine would almost fit in the greatroom of this one.  This is my daughter's and son in law's house.  He has over 10,000 lights on this house.  It took him 2 full days, and on top of this, he is helping us on the project listed just below.


And now for an explanation on why I've not been blogging too much.  Our daughter, Julie, wanted to remodel her kitchen, you know, a simple job, right?
Pull out the old cabinets, put down new flooring, and put the new cabinets in, presto, it's done.  Well, it didn't work quite that way.  Seems we got saw happy, had a fountain in the kitchen the first day, and had to shut off the water.  So she moved in with us, while we destroyed her house, literally.

No, this isn't where we quit, we ended up pulling all the sub floor out, putting in some new joists, pulling siding off the back, and replacing the sill plates and sills.  It now has no floor at all, but the good news is, we have it solid and ready to start constructing a whole new kitchen and bathroom. 
so, if you have missed my blogging, pray for us to be able to get this finished quickly.

The Mirror of N'DE by L.K. Malone

 Hadlay Mivana is part of a poor race of people called the Ramash. Her people are kept subservient to the Oresed who live better and often abuse their poor neighbors. In an unusual twist of fate Hadlay and some of her friends are chosen to work in the Tower of the Emperor.  She becomes a special friend to the Emperor's son.

Her strange dreams  leave her puzzled  It is up to Hadlay to fight evil and rescue her people. The Being from her dreams assures her with his help, she will triumph.

Personally, this book had just a bit to much fantasy for me.  I know that it was written for a younger generation and they probably will enjoy it.

I received a copy of this book from Litfuse to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.

Reviews and previews

I have 3 books that I have to review this week, so watch for those to show up here.


I am busy trying to put daughters house back together, since we've pretty much dismantled it this past week.
There seems to be no stopping place to quit.  I did not take before photos, so you'll have to wait for the AFTERS to see what it will be, when we finish.

Happy Thanksgiving

May your day be blessed with

close family,

 wonderful friends,

plenty to eat, and 

help in the kitchen.

God Bless you Everyone.

Jettie

Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks by K D McCrite

Cliques, Hicks, and Ugly Sticks

Confessions of 

April Grace

by

K. D. McCrite

Published by

Tommy Nelson

a division of 

 Thomas Nelson Publishing

April Grace Reilly and her family live in Northwestern Arkansas, on aptly named Rough Creek Road.

New neighbors from California bought the house just down the road, which needed lots of work to be livable, so her parents ask them to stay with them, until the house is fixed. 

The first day of school, the new neighbor, Isabel has an accident on the rough road, which means that they'll be living with them even longer.

Soon April's mother becomes ill, and scares her to distraction, afraid her mother is dying.  And Lily, April's mother,  won't be able to direct the Christmas play at their church.  Isabel is recruited to direct the play.

Even though this book is directed toward young teens, I found it very interesting, and it kept my attention all the way through.  It has a great message about tolerance and acceptance.  When I first started reading,being from the northern part of Arkansas,  I have to say I was a little disconcerted to find that the book was set in Arkansas, and was afraid it would portray us as 'Hicks', but it does not, and for that I am very glad.  

I received this book to read and review, from Booksneeze.  No other compensation was received.  I am not required to give a positive review, all opinions expressed here are my own.

http://www.amazon.com/review/R35WYQVVOQ2DLX

HOUSE OF SECRETS by Tracie Peterson

Bethany House publishers
Contemporary Fiction

Imagine 3 little girls on a stairwell landing, watching their father mix medication for their mentally ill  mother, while crying, and saying he's doing it for the children. Then their mother is hauled away in an ambulance, and dies.
Can you imagine their thoughts?

 Then raised in boarding schools and  by nannies while their father works.
Fast forward about 15 years, and their father wants them to all go back to the vacation home where they were staying when their mother died.  He tells them he has news for them.

On top of all this, Bailee has been offered a job in NY, with Mark Delahunt, who she feels more than a bit of attraction to, but she isn't ready for romance.

This is what faces Bailee Cooper and her sisters, Geena and Piper, as they head for Washington state, and a meeting with their father, and his surprise.

I received this book from Bethany House to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give positive reviews.

My opinion of this book is it scores  4 out of 5 stars.

Someone knows me well...

A few weeks ago, I found the lantern at a 'big box store', and I just had to have it, though 

hubby wasn't so sure I needed it.

It is a candle holder, but I didn't have candles that showed well in it.

Today, a box came in the mail, that had the 3 oval boxes inside, and when we opened the last one

SURPRISE

5 small orange candles, that fit perfectly into the holder.

(I say we, because my 8 year old grandson, Jd, is here, and you know how it is with kids and packages')

My 'sister' knows me well, she knew I loved 'trinket boxes' as I call them, and those beautiful candles are the perfect thing.

  She also my shoulder to cry on, whenever I'm blue, the one who makes me laugh, when I need a big chuckle, we almost share a birthday I'm about 3 1/2 weeks her senior, and that makes me the 'big sister',

and though we aren't sisters by blood, we are sisters ..

 very special Sister in Christ.

Thank you 'TRose' for the birthday gift.  

Veterans Day

God Bless all the men and women who have served, and are still serving, to keep our country free.
This is to my Nephew, Tim, who leaves soon for Afghanistan.  Great Uncle Oscar, and my Grandfather, Luther, who fought in WWI. For my father, Troy, who never left American soil, during WWII, got his back broken while on training maneuvers and spent 13 months in a hospital halfway across the country from his family.  For my Uncles, Arlie and Hervie, my great great grandfather, Joseph, and his father, Gamliel, who served in the Civil War, Gamliel gave his life, and Joseph gave his health for the Union.  And for my GGG Grandfather Abner, who fought to help free this country from the British.

Valley of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling

After her father's death, Cassie Lockwood discover that her 'Uncle Jason' has made bad investments, and has disappeared with what little cash was left of the Wild West Show, that was owned by her father. When she learns that what little is left of the show, will go to the bank that holds the lien, she and a few of the other members of the show, along with some of the beloved animals, head out to South Dakota, to find the land her father had owned, and was now hers. The only trouble, there were no real directions. Caught in a blizzard, will they survive to find the land?


This is the first of a series, and I hope to get to finish it, when the rest are released.


I received this book to read and review, from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing. No other compensation was given, all opinions expressed here are my own. I am not required to give a positive review. 

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander

This is the 2nd book that I have read, that was written by Tamera Alexander, the first, I dearly loved. This one is even better, if at all possible.


Claire loves painting, and wants to paint something to bring acclaim to her name. Instead she is forced to paint forgeries of other artists work for her father. 
After he dies, she escapes to Nashville TN, which is still in turmoil after the Civil War. 


I recieved this book from Litfuse to read and review, no other compensation was given. 
I am not required to give a positive review, all opinions expressed here are my own.

THE ENCOUNTER BY Stephen Arterburn

Thomas Nelson Publishing

Jonathan Rush was given up for adoption when he was 4 years old.  He went to an orphan's home in Fairbanks Alaska, where he spent several years, before he was adopted. He has since become a wealthy businessman and along the way, married 3 times, all of which have failed.  His anger at his birth mother for not loving him, and giving him up for adoption has grown so much that he's even attempted suicide.  His minister has suggested he go to see if he can find anything about his mother, and if she had a reason for giving him away, and try to find forgiveness.
He arrives in Fairbanks, unprepared for the winter climate, and is met with the rumor that he plans to move his business operation to Alaska.  He meets a young reporter who asks questions, for which he refuses to give answers.  Before long, she convinces him to let her help look for information on his mother.
They find Mercy, a woman who knew his mother, but refuses to give him information other than his mother loved him, which he is unwilling to believe.

This is a short book, 167 pages, and once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. Though it is written as fiction, and the characters are fictional, I'm sure at some point, this story has it's base in truth.  The author, Stephen Arterburn, is the founder of WOMEN OF FAITH, which I am sure you have heard about, at some point.

I received a copy of this book from Booksneeze, to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, and I am not required to give a positive review.

The Mercy by Beverly Lewis

Rose and Hen are sisters, raised Amish, though Hen never joined the church, and married an 'Englisher'.
She and her husband, Brandon, are separated, and she moves back near her parents.  Her husband was in a car accident, lost his sight, and had other injuries, so he moved to the farm and Hen is caring for him.

Rose broke up with the man she was engaged to, because she just didn't feel it was a good match.  Her brother,  sets her up with another guy, who is related to his wife.  Rose thinks she can love this one, but then he begins showing that he doesn't follow the Amish way, and has never been baptized.

Nick, who was raised by the Petershiem family, but left when an accident took the life of their son.  He has returned, and decided to be baptized into the church, and want to set things straight about the cause of the accident.

I enjoyed this book, but wish I had read the 2 that came before it, before reading.  I kind of felt as if I'd come in at the middle of a movie.

I was given a copy of this book to read and review, no other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

THE CROSSING by Serita Jakes

Published by Waterbrook Press

Ten years after the murder of a beloved high school teacher, BJ Remington, on the way home from a football game, on the bus with the players and cheerleaders, Claudia is having flashbacks and panic attacks, reliving that night.  Her husband, Vic, an assistant DA, decides to investigate, to see if the cold case murder can be solved.
Casio Hightower was also on the bus that night, and had been shot in the arm, ending his season, and the hopes for scholarships to college, and hopefully a pro career. He's become a policeman, following in his father, Gabe's, footsteps.  Gabe is the one who had investigated the murder originally, and Vic and Gabe hope he can remember something that might help solve the case.  But how many lives will solving this decade old murder impact?  How many others might die, because of the investigation?

This is a murder mystery, love story, and more, rolled into one book.  I read a lot of books, but this one is special.  You actually feel you are on the bus, during the flashbacks, and are trying to see who pulled the trigger.

I received this book free to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed are my own.

THEY HAVE THE BEST HAMS AND BACON IN THE WORLD.
THEY HOSTING A GIVE AWAY, AND I'M ENTERING
http://pjmeats.blogspot.com/2011/11/dishwasher-ham.html

The Bakers Wife by Erin Healy

Audrey's husband, Geoff, was the pastor of the local church, until he was fired after being accused of paying for an abortion for his son's girlfriend. He and Audrey opened a bakery, and all was going pretty well, until the girl's mother disappears, after Audrey hits her motor scooter in the fog. Then Ed, the husband accuses them of hiding her body.

This is a very well written book, lots of side tracks, which make you have to pay attention. I really enjoyed it, and think that anyone who likes a mystery would make short work of the book.

I recieved a copy of this book to read and review from Litfuse. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are my own

Ghosts again, after all it is Halloween

You all know I have a ghost, if you've read my blog much.  

Always playing little tricks, no bad stuff, just trickery. I've found new towels, exactly like ones we'd purchased, in a different color.  Things disappear then show up later where they are supposed to be, that kind of thing.

Well, my hubby got 'treated' last night.  Guess the ghost likes him.

Several weeks ago,he purchased a nice keyboard, at an auction, and has been trying to purchase the thingamabobs that makes it make different tones and sounds.  Everything from a cowbell, helicopter to you name it.  He'd bid up to about $35 on one thingamabob, and got outbid.  

Last night he walked over to me and said where did this come from?

It was a small plastic bag with not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 of the thingamabobs, so I guess you could say well over  $100 worth.  Now they were on his 'table' beside his chair.  I don't even dust it, because of all the precious stuff that might get displaced...

Thank you Pound Puppy 1985, You can eat crackers in my bed anytime for these gifts.

Last of the cucumbers and

Can you see my cucumber crop?

Skylar found some seed spilled in the garage awhile back, and

put them in the planter.   I'm betting by morning they'll be toast, or maybe I should say very cool cucumbers, since it may be a heavy frost tonight.

The Beauty Berries are loaded this year, so I'm thinking a very 

cold and nasty winter.

Thank goodness for the extra wood we were gifted over

the weekend. Enough to get us through into next winter, even if we don't

get the extra 2 or 3 loads we have been promised.

Another shot of the Sassafras which is a persimmon color right now.

It is the one pretty shot of color in our yard right now. 

The Tulip tree isn't so colorful this year, I guess it was too dry for it to show off.

And this is what the sky looked like when I went out to get the above photo.

But it cleared off, so the temperature is going to drop like a rock

and will be down to about 30 by morning.

Flash and his Chair

This is Flash, in case you aren't familiar with my babies.

He is about 4 1/2 years old, and we've had him since he was a very small pup, smaller that my miniature doxie at that time.

Until recently, he resided in the house, but my older dog and him got to fighting and since the older one is about 12 years old and 30 pounds, he stays inside, and Flash was moved outside.  I bought him a dog crate to sleep in, but he's never gone inside it at all.

Recently, we purchased a new recliner, and moved the old one out on the porch, to haul off.  

Before we could get it moved off the porch, Flash decided he liked it, and homesteaded , complete with his blanket.  At first, Buddy would go in the crate, but soon, he decided he wanted in the chair with Flash, which worked out fine.  But shortly, he decided it was more comfy without Flash, so he wouldn't let him in the chair.. .

We started hearing scratching on the door, and thinking that Buddy was ready to come in, we'd open the door to find Flash standing there, and Buddy in the chair.  No he isn't wanting in, he's telling on Buddy for being a chair hog.  It's funny, seeing a huge 80+ pound Pit/Boxer/Lab mix dog telling on a little 11 pound  short legged thing, who he could easily pull right out of the chair.

And, for the kicker, when I try to remove the chair hog, he growls at me, not wanting to give up the spot.

Why bite the hand that feeds you?

You'll notice a theme in the cats that are in my photos,

I won't tell you what it is, but you'll figure it out.

This  cat is a tom, another one that loved his mom, and one day about 2 1/2 years ago, he left.

3 days later, we look out, and think we see him

but on closer inspection, find it is a longer haired cat, and has a white flea color on.

She wasn't too friendly, nipping my heels when she could.

A short time later, she presented us with these.

Yes, that is PINK under her front paw.

Now for today's story.

She's never wanted held, and always tries to get down, whenever you do pick her up.

Well, Monday afternoon, we were unloading logs from the trailer.  I went over to sit on the larger log, to rest, while hubby used the tractor to lift the logs off.

Here came Mamma Kitty,

 (we've never named her, really, as she just showed up, and we figured she would eventually move on, but she hasn't.)

Anyway, she rubs against me, and finally jumps into my lap.

I pet her a little, she gets down.

Then, she jumps up again, lays down like she wants petted.

So I comply, and all seems to be going well.

 Suddenly she grabs my finger with her mouth, bites me, and jumps down.

This isn't the first time she's done something like this, she used to bite me as I was walking.

But it is the first time in several months, that she has tried this stunt.

OK, have you figured out the 

theme yet?

Refuge on Crescent Hill by Melanie Dobson

Kregel Publications
Fiction: Christian /Suspense


When the Magazine that she had done freelance work for, closed it's doors without paying for the pictures she had sold them, Camden Bristow was broke.  Then her apartment manager gave her until 5:00pm to get out of the apartment she owes 2 months rent on, before he locks the doors.  Not knowing where else to turn, she leaves NY to go to Ohio to visit her grandmother that she hasn't seen in several years, only to find that her grandmother passed away a few days before her arrival, leaving her the old Bristow mansion, with all it's secrets.


This book has it all, suspense, mystery, romance, and some serious subjects. Melanie Dobson has done a wonderful job of tying it all together into a well written, entertaining, and informative novel. I love the era that it was mainly written about, also. This is the first of her books that I have read, but I will be searching out others.

Refuge on Crescent Hill: A Novel

I was given a copy of this book to read and review. I am not required to give a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own.




Special Note: Refuge on Crescent Hill will be available on Amazon Kindle FREE for one week starting October 31! So if you have a Kindle, I suggest downloading this book, it is wonderful.

The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman

Thomas Nelson Publishing

Katie Ann Stoltzfus is a new mother, for the first time, when most women are expecting grandchildren.  Worse yet, her husband, Ivan, walked out on her, before knowing about the baby, and moved in with another woman,  and filed for divorce.  Then he was killed before their baby was born, and she is now a widow.

She is introduced to Eli Deitweiler, a widower with 6 grown and married children.  She feels safe with him, he isn't interested in marrying again, especially to a woman with a small child, since he's raised his family.  Soon sparks fly between them, and she is happy to know he will be leaving soon, to go back home, and then do some traveling.  But attraction is a hard thing to ignore, for them both.

Beth Wiseman  is one of the authors that I love reading her writings.  There is always at least one extra
story, within the main story, and in this book, there are more.  If you are a fan of Amish stories, or even if you just like good clean books, you need to read this book.

I received this book from Booksneeze, to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  I'm not required to give a positive review, and all opinions expressed here are my own.

Zombie Church by Tyler Edwards

Kregel Publications
220 pages

Zombie Church, at first I thought that would be a better name for a Fiction Book, instead of a book with a serious subject, but after reading it, I think the author hit perfect title.

Just a few pages into this book, I realized that I've attended a few of these churches over the years.  I didn't realize it at the time, but when you go to church, and come out feeling worse than when you walked into the building, you aren't getting anything from the service.  When the people aren't friendly, or not interested in meeting a new 'face'and you don't feel welcome there, or when the Minister's message leaves you feeling like he's not really interested in the 'new guy' or 'new gal' in the audience, you are in a Zombie Church.   I even quit attending churches, because I felt unwelcome and figured there was something wrong with me. Thank goodness, I finally found a church where I felt the minister had a message, the members were friendly and welcoming, and I stuck with it, and am still there.

This is a good book, well written, and the subject, though serious, is covered in a way that makes you want to keep reading.  I plan on giving this book to our Minister, as it is a subject he has mentioned on several occasions, though he calls it filling a pew.

I received this book from Litfuse to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.

We have Twins!!

They were born sometime last night, both girls, no names yet.  Mom wanted to see them before she was sure of the names.  Both weighed over 5 pounds, one was head first one was breech.  Big Brother says he doesn't want any babies, wonder how that will work out?
Waiting for a picture to be posted so I can steal it and post it here.

Thank you Lord, for them both being healthy and good weight.

Have had a busy week, and I'll tell you part of it, if you are interested.

Grandkids were here for an afternoon on Sunday, and I went back to church for revival on Sunday and Monday night.  I had my annual pre screening on Tuesday...Wednesday, well we changed plans at 9:00am and stayed home, skipping the Gospel music and the grocery shopping.   I'm still sorting out stuff from moving the entertainment center..  Hubby had eye appointment on Thursday that was 55 miles away, so we went to that, got home about 5:00pm, after stopping for dinner.  Today, we were supposed to be 60 miles away, at 7:45am, during rush hour, hubby got mixed up so we left at 5:30am, and was there at 7:00am, instead.  Got his blood work done, then waited  until time for his doctor's appointment, and of course the doctor was late.  I met a lady in the waiting room who was crocheting, and we got to talking.  She is making me a set of Razorback Red baby caps for the twins, that are being born today, sometime. She is now 36 weeks and 5 days, I think they said, and her blood pressure is up, so she went to hospital last night, these are the ones who were due on 11-11-11.  I'm trading the lady soap for the caps.  I'm then sewing a appliqued Razorback on them and shipping them to Alaska.

On top of this, I've finished 3 books to revie, and just found I'd missed one, and I still have 3 to review, one of them by MONDAY, so guess what I'll be doing this weekend.....

Hubby's reports at both doctors was good, he doesn't have to go back until 4 or 5 months to eye clinic, and 6 months to Primary care.  He got his flu shot today, and I also got mine while we were gone.

Tomorrow, we are supposed to get some free wood.  We'll see how much there is, the guy said something about at least 4 trailer loads.  WooHoo, no cutting and no having to purchase.  We will have to haul, saw up and split, but that's the easy part.  Felling trees and loading isn't easy on my legs anymore, out in the woods, so I'll take all this I am allowed.

SHADOW IN SERENITY by Terri Blackstock

Zondervan Publishing
Grand Rapids Michigan
315 pages

When Logan Brisco blew into Serenity Texas, he planned on scamming the people of the town for all he could get, then escape before he was found out.  He meets Carny Sullivan, the daughter of a carnival owner, who recognizes him for what he is, because she's seen all the scams, working for her father's carnival, until she left, married  and moved to Serenity when she was 17.
Carny tries to tell everyone that he is scamming them, but no one wants to believe her.  They want to believe he is representing a company who plans on building an amusement park, which they will be part owners.  She starts investigating the information she has, trying to figure out the truth.
He hires Carny to give him flying lessons, and goes fishing with Jason, Carny's son.  He attends church, goes to the town picnics, and before long, Carny isn't sure whether she had him pegged right, or not.

I don't want to give away much of the plot, so just suffice it to say that I really enjoyed this book.  I'd give it 5 stars, it is well written, the story line is really good.  And the message of redemption, both in Carny's life, Ruth, her friend's life, and others in the plot is very real feeling, not overdone at all..  Terri Blackstock, and her publisher, have every right to be proud of this book.

I was given a copy of this book, to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  I am not required to give favorable reviews, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Artist's Rendering

My daughter in law drew this from a very small photo that we had of my great great grandfather.

I'd give anything if my grandmother could have seen this, since he died long before she was born.

It is large enough to fit a 16 x 20 frame, and will go over my sofa, when I get it framed. 

Kindle Giveaway

http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/159253

Click on the above link, and enter to win a Kindle and other prizes sponsored by Bethany House Publishing, and Patti Lacy, author of RECLAIMING LILY.

RECLAIMING LILY by Patti Lacy

RECLAIMING LILY
by Patti Lacy
Bethany House publishers
373 pages


'Joy' was adopted in China, by the Powells, Andrew and Gloria, who had expected to adopt a baby, but instead took an 8 year old girl when they were at the orphanage and told no baby was available there.  At 17, she is confused, rebellious, and her adoptive parents aren't sure how to handle her anymore.

The Powells are contacted by Joy's birth sister, telling them that she needs to meet with them about a genetic health problem that Joy may carry.  Dr. Kia Chang has looked for her sister since the day she watched as Lily, renamed Joy, was led into a van at the orphanage where she had been left, because the family were not supposed to have more children.

Kia goes to Texas to meet the Powells, and their meeting is interrupted by a policeman who tells them that Joy has been arrested for shoplifting.   Kia  goes with the Powells to meet Joy (Lily) and they bond quickly.
Now Kia has to explain to her sister about the health problem.  Will  she rebel again, or will she get to meet her real father and 2 more sisters who are still in China?  Will Gloria Powell accept the help Kia offers?  Will Kia learn that there is really a True God who saves?

Patti Lacy has written a very complex book, though it doesn't seem that way, when you are reading it.  I would give it  5 stars for the writing and the story, as once you sit down to read it, you don't want to stop, until the last page.

I received this book from Litfuse to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own,  I'm not required to give a favorable review.

Sassafras Tea and

Well no, I haven't been drinking Sassafras Tea yet this year, and probably won't, but I do enjoy watching the leaves change on the Sassafras tree out in the corner of the yard.

And across the street, the Sumac bushes and the Golden Rod are turning colors, too.

Yesterday, while heading to church, I noticed 2 different 'clumps' of the 

Sumac within 10 ft of each other, one was really red

the other was more orange.

I don't know if it is two different types of Sumac, or if it

is just a variation in the soil.

Soon more things will start to change color here, and I'll take my camera along, and post more photos.

Pattern of Wounds by J. Mark Bertrand

Bethany House Publishers
367 pages

Roland March, a Houston city detective, is on the hunt for the murderer of a young woman, whose body position and way of death makes him think it is a copy cat killing to a crime which he had solved about 10 years earlier.  And now, a Sheriff's deputy from the county is trying to make a name for himself claiming that this murder, and several others, are the work of s serial killer.  March doesn't think so, but since he isn't the most popular man in the office, his superiors are telling him to consider this mans ideas and investigate...


This is my first 'Roland March' book to read, and while I'm usually a big murder mystery fan, this one didn't do it for me.  It started out great, but about halfway through, I started looking for an ending, which didn't come for another 150 pages.



I recieved a copy of this book from Bethany House, to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  I'm not required to give a favorable review, and all opinions expressed here are my own.

What's it like to be a Christian?

A woman was asked by a coworker, 'What is it like to be a Christian?'

The coworker replied, 'It is like being a pumpkin.'  God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.  Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.

He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed.  Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.'

This was passed on to me by another pumpkin.  Now it's your turn to pass it to other pumpkins.

I liked this enough to send it to all the pumpkins in my patch.

And post it on my blog for all the world to see.

The Witching Hour

In this little story, all names are changed to protect the guilty.

Long long ago, in a place far far away, there was a young (or not so young) couple 

struggling to make ends meet and keep a roof over their heads.

They had two beautiful children, both of whom adored their daddy, and would do anything he told them.  

With all the struggling, sometimes words were spoken, better left unsaid.

After one of those days when the wife had all she could take,

trying to fix meals, get the laundry under control, and

whatever else was on the agenda, someone asked for

something that wasn't easy to do. She doesn't remember

the exact thing, all she remembers is that she said 

 "No", 

and

Handsome daddy whispered something to the beautiful children, 

and shortly something not so beautiful came out of their mouths.

The beautiful mommy looked at her offspring with shock and

dismay, and decided to teach all 3 a lesson they wouldn't soon forget.

She looked at the 3 people she loved most in the world, and said,

"From now on, when you address me, you will call me Old Witch, that is my new name, 

I won't answer to anything else, until further notice".

For the next two weeks she stuck to her ultimatum  and

from that day forward, no one has called her a witch to her face.

Now, behind her back, that is probably another story,

but we won't discuss that one right now.

A Birthday Surprise for Someone Special

No, it isn't my birthday, won't be for a couple of months, and I'm not hurrying it along.  But, I have a wonderful aunt, who is having a birthday very soon, October 4th, in fact.  She never wants anything for her birthday, but she is always generous with us, when ours comes along.  This year, she turns 86, and when I talked to her today, she said she would love to have a Dogwood Quilt pattern, that she can't find hers, and that is a quilt she would love to have.
I told her I had a dogwood quilt, and that I'd draw off the pattern, and send it to her.  After messing with it for awhile, I decided no, I'm not sending a pattern, I'm packing that quilt up and shipping it to her as a birthday gift. It's the color she wants and everything, and the quilt means nothing to me at all, it is just a quilt.  And I don't care for the colors or the design, so it will clear out a space in my cabinet for a new quilt, someday.  So, I called the post office, they are delivering me a box tomorrow, so that I can pack it up, and get it to her, by her birthday.  Happy 86th Birthday to the Sweetest aunt anyone could ever have....

A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Published by Revell books

Jaime Fitzpatrick was at the doctor for a prescription refill, when she met Mattie and Sol Riehl, and their son, Danny.  The doctor she saw, wasn't her regular doctor, and she was a little aggravated when he asked her to stop on her way out of town and return Danny Riehl's toy he had accidentally left at the office, giving her explicit directions to their home.
A snow storm was about to hit, and Jaime and her husband were due to meet her father and go on a Christmas cruise with him.  She hurries up to to the Riehl home, surprised at it's beautiful simplicity.  As she gets out of her car, with her husband in tow, the car starts going down the hill, and backs into the pond.  Stuck at the Riehl home on Christmas  when the blizzard hits, she and her husband, C. J, had to accept the hospitality of the Amish family, and find they have more in common than she would have thought.

194 pages, so it is a quick read, and as usual, Suzanne Woods Fisher has come up with a fantastic story. Another Author that has yet to disappoint me with anything she has written. A 5 Star book.

I received this book from Litfuse to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  I'm not required to give a positive review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

A great morning at the Funeral Home ;- )

By now, you probably think I've lost my marbles, but no, I haven't.  I actually had a great morning at the funeral home, this morning.    My great grandfather's grave marker was getting a little worse for wear after about 80 years in the elements, and it wasn't going to improve with age.  Sue, a first cousin of my dad, called awhile back and mentioned she was thinking about putting a new stone in it's place.  I said hey, let me hit some of the relatives up for a donation, and you and I will split the rest, after we get what donations they send.  Sue, being a very shy lady, said go for it, maybe we'll get a little help.  So, big mouth here, started writing all the email cousins, and calling those that I had phone #s for, asking for donations.  The first donation was $50..then we got $100, hmmm, so I call the monument place, and get a price for a small stone...the next donations came, another $100, then $300, another $100, and then $40 and so on.  Before all of it got here, I called the funeral home where I know the owner, and he gave us a much better price, and told us he would work with us.
So, we made an appointment  for this morning to look at stones and prices.  Sue and I met there, picked out what we liked, and they called the place that does the carving, to have them do a drawing so we could see how it looks on that stone.  We got to have things changed, so we chose a small cross at both sides of the last name, with leaves and a flower beside it.  We also chose a Mahogany colored stone.  When we got the bill, we were pleasantly surprised to find that we had enough to cover the cost, without having to break out our checkbooks.
Anything left will go toward the cemetery upkeep fund that sees that the fence is in good repair, and that the grounds are mowed and cleaned.

Sue and I are like Mutt and Jeff, she is tall and very thin, and quiet spoken. I'm short, rotund, and with a mouth that many would love to staple shut.  We are the perfect pair, and I love her dearly.

Where were you when the lights went out?

This morning, I didn't make it to Sunday School, as the truck was loaded with a recliner that I'd purchased yesterday and we were having rain showers and thunder and lightning..  So I called Julie and asked for a ride to church.  We got through the singing and giving the Quartet  a big round of applause for winning the Music Banner at Youth Rally for Best overall, last night..  The Quartet range in age from 11 down to barely 3, and if I had a video of them, I guarantee it would be a U Tube hit. I think the 3 year old won it for them with his actions, he does everything that the others do, making sure he keeps an eye on them, in case he's forgotten something.   He can't reach the microphone even as low as it will go, so it is pointed down, and he grabs the stand and tiptoes to get his voice heard.
Anyway, about that time, they sent the little ones off to nursery class, and the Minister started his sermon, and that's when the lights went out. We do have a large cross made from lighted glass blocks on the front of the sanctuary, so there was light coming in, but the nursery went pitch black.  Surprisingly none of them screamed or had a fit, and a flashlight was sent to the room.  The minister said that he could preach in the dark, and proceeded, so the lights came back on, and stayed on the rest of the time.  I guess the devil decided if he wasn't upsetting someone, he'd go play elsewhere.

Video for Shelia Walsh's new children series

 http://youtu.be/sfwhWae_h04

I reviewed  Gabby, God's Little Angel a few days ago, and I want to say that is has a very special message.  All children should get to see this book.

What next, I wonder

I have cut back on my book reviewing, though to look at the last few posts, you might not think so.
And there is one more sitting in the 'hold' that is scheduled to be posted soon.  I have 3 or 4 books that will be shipped soon.  But, I have become a lot more selective in the books I request.

But yesterday, out of the blue, another opportunity to review for someone else came in my email.  Seems they'd read a couple of my reviews on Christian books dot com and were contacting me to see if I'd review a book for them.  It is by  “New York Times” bestselling author Terri Blackstock and the name of the book is 'Shadow of 
Serenity'.


Here is a website where you can see what it is about.  http://www.terriblackstock.com/christian-retailing-review-of-shadow-in-serenity/



This is the 2nd time I've been contacted by publishers or authors and asked to review one of their books.  

Dry as Rain by Gina Holmes

Gina Holmes has written a very compelling novel about a marriage on the rocks, and a man who made mistakes but wants to rectify them.

Eric and Kyra Yoshida have been married 20 years, but for the last couple of year, Kyra has pushed him away, and he doesn't really understand what has happened.  They separate, and and it looks as if they are heading for divorce, but Kyra has an accident, and loses the memory of the separation, and what has caused it.  So, Eric moves back home, though dreading the day that her memory starts to return.

A good read, I enjoyed it, I will say it is a very 'real' book, you don't feel it is made up, but taken from someone's life story.

I received this book to read and review from Tyndale publishing.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.

Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall

Waterbrook Press publishers

Sylvia Fisher asked her boyfriend, Elam Smoker, for more time, when he asked her to marry him.  At 22, she wasn't sure she was ready to get married, and start a family right away.  A few weeks later, she is told that Becky, her younger sister, is getting married, and the man is Elam Smoker. She wanted to leave then, but, she wasn't allowed.  About 2 years later, Becky and Elam have twins, and Sylvia finds herself taking care of the family and the farm, while everyone but Elam is down with the flu.  She realizes she is still attracted to him, and knows she has to get away.
She finds a position on the dairy farm of Michael and Dora Blank, working to improve their milk production.  Little does she know that their son, Aaron, wants to buy an Amish store in a town a few miles away,  move his father and mother with him, and sell the farm.  When he arrives at the farm, he is shocked to find a young Amish woman working there, and that production is improving.  He tried several things to get her to go home, not knowing the situation with her family.

Will the Blanks sell the farm, and move in with Aaron? Where will Sylvia go?  The attraction that Sylvia and Aaron feel, will it blossom into love, or will they go their separate ways?

Cindy Woodsmall is a very talented writer, I will read everything she has written.  This book is a page turner, keeping you wondering what will happen on the next page.

I received this book from Waterbrook Press, to read and review.  No other compensation was given, all opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a favorable review.

BLUE SKIES TOMORROW bu Sarah Sundin

Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group

Helen Carlisle is a war widow, her husband is considered a home town hero, for his part in the war.
She can't tell anyone her real feelings, so she does volunteer work for the war effort  helping her in laws in the shop they own.When Helen's home burns, her father in law insists she move in with them, that is when she discovers that her late husband's problems were deep rooted in him during childhood.  She doesn't want her son to become another in a line of abusers, too, so  she starts trying to get away, but her in laws threaten to take her child.

.
She has known Lt. Raymond Novak since childhood, he is the son of her minister, and soon they find they share an attraction, but Helen is afraid of another relationship, and he's been burned before, in romance.  When his position of training B-17 pilots is given to a returning pilot, he is transferred to a different position, and soon, he signs up to fly B-17s in the war effort, where his plane is shot down.

This is a very good book, the last of the series of the Novak boys.  It is hard to think that there won't be another to document their lives after the war.  Sarah Sundin is one of my favorite authors, and again, she has hit a home run, making you feel that you actually know these people.

I received a copy of this book to read and review from Litfuse, no other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a favorable review.

Granddaughter's Grandparents Day program

Here she is after they did the program.

In the program, she spoke up and did her part to where you could hear her

about 60 ft back.  This picture was taken that far back in the building.

I love my little camera.

And then, today, she and her brother came over and we played 

Hansel and Gretel

She had to show me that she would fit into Flash's 

'new' bed, and no, he doesn't sleep in it, he avoids it

like the plague.

And of course, brother had to show that anything she could do,

he could do at least as well..

Being tall, he had a little problem and I had to work to get a good photo.

Gabby, God's Little Angel by Sheila Walsh

Gabby, God's Little Angel  
Sent to show Gods Love
 by Sheila Walsh
with Illustrations by Marina Fedotova
Published by Tommy Nelson

Gabby is sent on her very first assignment to protect Sophie, a little girl who is always in need of protection, as she is very rambunctious, and doesn't always look before she steps.

Sheila Walsh writes some of the very best children's stories that I've ever seen, and the illustrations in this book are FANTASTIC.  It is well worth the cost, as children will want to read, or be read, this book many many times.  

I received a copy of this book from BookSneeze to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Attacked by Pink

Hello Mom, is that a camera?

Take my picture please....

I'l love you for ever and ever, if you'll just

take my picture, post it on your blog, and tell them

I'm your favorite Kat and my name is

PINK

Hmmm, this shoe makes a nice pillow, may just take a nap.

Uhooo, rolled off, let me try again.

That's better, now to close my eyes.

Attack cat, Gotchaa Mom, now you can't get away.

You are mine, all mine.

And now for Long and Short Versions...

This kitten has the longest tail I've ever seen, it seems to 

be as long as his body.

And here is Shorty, who lost about 4 inches of his tail

somehow in an accident about 6 or so weeks ago.

It's healed fine, and he doesn't let it bother him at all.

Buzzed

This morning, while checking the bird feeders, I noticed that the Hummingbirds were pretty active, so I stood under the tree and watched for awhile.  They were paying no attention to me, chasing each other through the trees and around everything.  Suddenly, they almost tangled in my hair.

I decided to come in and get the camera, and see if I could get a shot or two of them.  

Not the greatest, but at least you can see they were out and about.

Then I took a photo of 4 O'Clocks, 

these area about the only flowers I have this year.

The white one, I don't know where the seed came from, it just showed up in my planter.

I had planted some striped ones, but none of them ever germinated.