Wordless Wednesday: Cleaning... and more Cleaning

You can't really see the belly... but this is my 7 1/2 months pregnant self sitting in the hall closet washing everything with vinegar water. Still got the musty smell though... hoping that all the friends who say it will eventually go away are right!

Book: Cowgirl at Heart

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Cowgirl at Heart
Barbour Books (February 1, 2010)
by
Christine Lynxwiler

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Best-selling author Christine Lynxwiler lives with her husband and two precious daughters in the foothills of the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Christine has been writing toward publication since 1997. She sold her first story in 2001 to Barbour Publishing. Since then she's written and sold fourteen Christian romance novels and novellas including the four novels that were included in the best-selling book Arkansas, which has sold over 150,000 copies worldwide. Her novel, Forever Christmas, ranked number 12 on the Christian Bookseller's Association Bestseller List in January, 2009.

A four-time winner of the prestigious American Christian Romance Writers/American Christian Fiction Writers' Book of the Year Award, Christine recently signed a new six-book contract with Barbour Publishing bringing her total of contracted books to twenty. Besides, Along Came a Cowboy, her latest novels include Promise Me Always and Forever Christmas. She also writes mysteries with two of her sisters, Sandy Gaskin and Jan Reynolds. Their book, Alibis in Arkansas, is currently available nationwide, as well as in many bookstores. The first book in Christine's new McCord Sisters series, The Reluctant Cowgirl released in April, 2009 and was a TOP PICK in Romantic Times Magazine.

When Christine isn't at her computer, you'll often find her, with her husband, co-coaching their daughters' softball team, kayaking down beautiful Spring River with her family, or getting together with friends from church.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Elyse McCord always plays it safe─a fact she blames on being the biological daughter of a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde. Even in the security of her adoptive family the McCords, the timid dog whisperer keeps her guard up with strangers. But when she discovers a dog being horribly mistreated, shy Elyse transforms into a mighty warrior and charges into a perilous situation, not only risking her life but also her heart.

Reporter Andrew Stone has been fearless since the day his wife was shot and killed three years ago. He has one mission─use his Texas Ranger upbringing to find her murderer and clear his own name of any involvement. When he sees a beautiful brunette in the hands of a pistol-welding maniac, he’s forced to abandon his covert surveillance and go to the rescue. The danger surrounding Andrew doesn’t scare him at all, but the awakening of his dormant heart terrifies him.

When painful pasts collide, the explosion is deafening. Can Andrew and Elyse pick up the pieces and go forward together? Or will they forever live with haunting memories, unable to forgive, unable to love?

***

This is the second in the McChord Sisters series and I think it really wouldn't work as well as a stand alone since the first sister is a prominent story thread in this book as well. That said, I enjoyed going back to this family to read about another sibling.

There is definitely an element of suspense in this book and quite a twist at the end. The romance part of the story is fairly predictable though.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Cowgirl at Heart , go HERE.

Wordless Wednesday: A New Friend

This is the 5 month old Springer puppy that lives next door named Max. They run up and down together on their respective sides of the fence... Good times ahead!

Book: Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon
Summerside Press (January 1, 2010)by
Miralee Ferrell
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

In October 2007 Kregel Publications published The Other Daughter with excellent reviews. The Romantic Times Review magazine gave it Four out of Four and a half stars, with a very strong review. Two different major motion picture studios are currently considering the book as a possible family movie, and my second book in the series (Past Shadows) is on my publishers desk being reviewed for a possible contract offer now.

In February of 2009, Love Finds You in Last Chance, California was published by Summerside Press.

Finding Jeena will release in April 2010 from Kregel Publications.

Miralee Ferrell lives in Washington with Allen, her husband of more than 37 years, ans has two grown children. She serves on staff at her local church and is actively involved in ministry to women.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Against a backdrop of thievery and murder in Bridal Veil Falls, Oregon, a historic logging community, a schoolteacher is torn between the memories of a distant love and the man who could be her future.

Sixteen-year-old Margaret Garvey had given her heart to Nathaniel Cooper the night he disappeared from town. Four years later, just as she's giving love a second chance with Andrew, a handsome logger, Nathaniel suddenly returns. He steams back into Bridal Veil on a riverboat to work at the nearby sawmill to town with a devastating secret.

While grappling with the betrayal of those she trusted most, Margaret risks her reputation and position by harboring two troubled runaways who might be involved in the murder of a local man.

When disaster strikes the town and threatens the welfare of its citizens, Margaret will be faced with the most important choice of her life.

***

I really enjoyed this book. With no internet to distract me I read the whole thing in one day. At first it's hard to see how all the different characters will relate, but they weave into a whole eventually. Also, living near this part of the country makes it easier for me to picture the story happening. I love that the author included an introduction and a post script explaining some history surrounding the setting and that she used some real historical figures in her story.

The story itself has enough mystery and intrigue to keep you guessing til the end. And while I originally thought I knew how it would end, I changed my mind half way through. I like forming opinions about characters and watching them change!

This is a great title in the Love Finds You series!

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon, goHERE.

Settling In

You would think that with two weeks of no internet I'd have accomplished all sorts of things in my new house... You'd be wrong!

I think I have cleaned more in the last two weeks than I did in the last year! Partly thanks to no sill leading under the door out to the new laundry room and contractors tracking stuff. Partly due to the nasty musty smell that's still hanging around (we've tried the vinegar and now are to replacing the baseboard heaters).

It seems like every time I do one thing 10 more pop up that need attention! I realize this comes with owning a house, but it's one of those things that you probably don't fully understand until you do it...

Not to mention that I'm over 7 months pregnant and about my son's naptime I'm just completely out of energy.

All that to say... the kitchen is organized, we can sit nicely in the living room, Cory can play in his room, and our bedroom only has a few small things that need attention. And I do still have at least a month (hopefully!) until baby arrives to get the spare room in order so he has room for the port-a-crib!

But, my sewing machine is still in it's box.

Double Trouble contest

At the end of the month I'll be reviewing Susan May Warren's book Double Trouble. However, there is a great big contest going on right now that ends on the 20th so here's the scoop:

Be sure to enter the Double Trouble Prize Package Giveaway by clicking on the ‘Double the Sass” button! Susan’s giving away an iPod prize package that is anything but troubling! Check it out!

Double Trouble, the brand new PJ Sugar novel by Susan May Warren, is in stores now! To celebrate the release, we’re running a HUMDINGER of a contest!!

One Grand Prize winner will receive a $150 SUPER SLEUTH prize package that includes:
* A brand new iPod Shuffle (perfect for those all-night stakeouts)
* A $10 iTunes gift card (we recommend the ALIAS soundtrack)
* A $10 Amazon gift card (why yes, they do sell spy pens)
* A $10 Starbucks gift card (for fuel, obviously)
* A pair of designer sunglasses (be stealthy AND super chic)
* A gorgeous scarf from World Market (can also be used as a blindfold, and/or for tying up bad guys)
* AND signed copies of both Nothing But Trouble and Double Trouble. (romance! danger! intrigue! sooo much better than Surveillance for Dummies!)

We’ll announce our super sleuth winner on March 1st.

Global Food Crisis Day

Instead of a Wordless Wednesday post today I'd like to bring you a short PSA (public service announcement).

Today is Global Food Crisis Day.

What does that mean? It's a day to stop and think about those in the world who are in crisis because they don't have enough food to eat. It's a time to stop and think about what we can do to alleviate their suffering.

Because of the global economy more people than ever are suffering with not enough to eat. Compassion International is committed to helping as many of these people, especially children, as they can. Right now their Global Food Crisis Fund is being directed to help those in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.

You can be assured that Compassion will use your donation to serve as many people as possible. Over 80% (and this is high for charity organizations) of all donated money goes directly to help children and families and they have received the highest awards for charity standards. Also, because Compassion already had a presence in Haiti before the earthquake they have people there who know the area and the people of Haiti know they can be trusted.

I have been a partner with Compassion for the past 14 years and have always been impressed with the work they do. Thanks for considering those in the world who are less fortunate than we are.

Smoke... Yuck!

We discovered something about our house this week... the former owner was a smoker. It explains a lot. The fact that the carpet was replaced and the walls were all painted (that was the tip off actually that a Lowe's worker clued me in to) while the linoleum was not. The fact that the closets all smell particularly musty.

The house hadn't been lived in in a year so it had some time to "air out", but ever since moving in we've all been waking up with sore throats. At first I thought it was just stress and lack of sleep what with packing and moving. But I've been getting decent sleep this week (hello, no internet!) and still feeling just awful in the mornings.

The kicker was that on Friday afternoon I turned on the humidifier in our bedroom to see if it would help. Within a couple hours I walked into our room and it smelled just like the closets. Musty and yucky.

We don't exactly know where it's coming from so we're at a loss as to what will solve it. We will be cleaning the baseboard heaters as best we can and probably renting an air filter with ozone maker next weekend to see if that will help neutralize any leftover odors.

But for now we're just hoping that by airing out the house frequently and NOT smoking in it that it will go away over time.

Note to all potential homebuyers: Just because you don't smell it, doesn't mean the house wasn't smoked in. Ask!

A Brief Update

Here I am, stealing my best friend's internet... We just found out that we won't get our fiber internet installed for "a month or two" because they are waiting on the ground to thaw. Which is ironic because the same PUD is installing new power poles just half a mile from our house and I know they're digging deeper for that than they would have to for the fiber line!
Anyway, we'll be getting dial-up internet in the mean time so I can at least be partially connected to the world! Just don't expect too many pictures for awhile!

We got our new stove installed on Friday/Saturday and in the process discovered that 2 layers down on the linoleum was this fabulous 70's green layer that had a ton of texturing. Why anyone thought that would be a good idea in the kitchen... I'm just glad I didn't have to keep it clean!

And, after moving all day Saturday we were unpacking and decided to stop at midnight. Then couldn't find the sheets for our bed! After opening literally every single box in the house we found them in the bedroom behind some large pictures stacked against the wall. Of course, right where they should have been!

So far the trains aren't bothering me too bad at night although they do whistle quite loudly. However, they wake Cory up quite a bit and then he calls out, "Mama, train!" which always wakes me up! Between that and the neighbor's heating unit that makes an ungodly squawk every time it kicks on I will be so thankful when we get our new windows this spring/summer!

Let the adventures continue!

Book: Never Say Never

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Never Say Never
Bethany House (February 1, 2010)
by
Lisa Wingate
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa lives in central Texas were she is a popular inspirational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books. Her novel, Tending Roses, received dozens of five-star reviews, sold out thirteen printings for New York publisher, Penguin Putnam, and went on to become a national bestselling book. Tending Roses was a selection of the Readers Club of America, and is currently in its fourteenth printing.

The Tending Roses series continued with Good Hope Road, the Language of Sycamores, Drenched in Light, and A Thousand Voices. In 2003, Lisa's Texas Hill Country series began with Texas Cooking, and continued with Lone Star Cafe', which was awarded a gold metal by RT Bookclub magazine and was hailed by Publisher's Weekly as "A charmingly nostalgic treat." The series concluded with Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner.

Lisa is now working on a new set of small-town Texas novels for Bethany House Publishers. The series debuted with Talk of the Town and continued with Word Gets Around and Never Say Never. A new series is also underway for Penguin Group NAL, beginning with A Month of Summer (July 2008), and continuing with The Summer Kitchen (July 2009) and Beyond Summer (July 2010). Lisa's works have been featured by the National Reader's Club of America, AOL Book Pics, Doubleday Book Club, the Literary Guild, American Profiles and have been chosen for the LORIES best Published Fiction Award. In 2009, A Month of Summer was nominated for the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves. She's never put down roots in any one place--and she doesn't plan to. But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily, Texas, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence.

And when she meets hometown-boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily--until she discovers he may be promised to someone else. Daily has always been a place of refuge for those the winds blows in, but for Kai, it looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store--especially when Aunt Donetta has cooked up a scheme.

***

Well, considering we've just moved I've only gotten a few chapters into this one. I did read the book that came before it and it was a fun, but mostly light read. I would say this is probably a stand alone book as Kai is an entirely new character, but it uses the same supporting cast as previous books about Daily, Texas.

The story is told in alternating chapters by Kai and Donetta. She figures more prominently than the book description shows.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Never Say Never, go HERE

Wordless Wednesday: Before

These pictures were taken 2 weeks ago, right in the middle of getting the new vinyl on the floor (which wasn't actually necessary as all the repairs were under the sink, but hey, we didn't have to pay for it and I got to pick it out, score!).

No, the curtains are not mine and yes, they are going away ASAP!

At the far ends of each counter top are going the fridge (left) and on the right is where the washer/dryer hookups were. We are building a laundry room out the door in the garage. Hooray! Then eventually we will get a dishwasher next to the sink and a whole bunch more counter space!!!

Oh, and did you notice the old old stove? That's going away too, especially with knobs on the front at kid height. And one burner that doesn't ever turn off except by the breaker... fun times!

Living room is to the left where you see my black and white purse. 3 bedrooms and a bathroom are "behind" me.

31 Weeks

Please excuse the fact that this picture was taken 2 days before 31 weeks... horror, I know! But considering I'll be living without internet for who knows how long I wanted to get this up!

Definitely sticking out a lot more this month although it doesn't seem to be slowing me down too much. The only problem now is that it seems every time I go to bend over I get a Braxton Hicks contraction and my stomach gets so hard I literally can't bend at all. Kind of annoying!
I'm still sleeping decently and with only one extra pillow. This time last round I think I was up to about 4 pillows and poor Brian was sleeping on the couch a LOT. I suppose that could still happen...

The little guy is still kicking up a storm although I think he's a bit more confined now. The midwife said he was head down at the last appointment so let's hope he stays that way!

2 months to go and I'll be plenty busy getting our new house in order!

Goodbye (online) World

We are moving. Tomorrow. But unfortunately our internet gets shut off today... and we have no idea when we will get it at the house! It could be in a couple weeks, it could be in a couple months!

It's dependent on the weather and when the PUD can get around to running a line to our house...

So, for now, I have a few posts scheduled, and I will be checking in once in a while from random computers, but what this also means is that there won't be any new pictures until I have access to the internet in my house with my computer. Sad! Here's hoping we at least get it before the baby comes!

I'll probably go through withdrawals (who are we kidding, it's going to be serious!), but I have plenty of projects to keep me entertained in the meantime!

Did I mention I got a new sewing machine for Christmas? Well, this house has no curtains or blinds so that's my number one project. I don't plan for my family to be the peep show for all the neighbors!

Number two project will be all the little sewing projects I've been putting off since my old sewing machine didn't work so well. A new purse! My father in law's Christmas vest! Some new pajama pants for my long legged husband (and maybe a matching pair for Cory)! Maybe I'll even get some cross-stitching done, which I haven't touched in over a year.

Oh, and believe me, I have plenty of books, yeah!

So, when I get back you all better leave me a list of your best posts so I can catch up! Adios!

Book: Becca by the Book

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Becca By The Book

Zondervan (January 1, 2010)

by

Laura Jensen Walker


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura Jensen Walker is an award-winning writer, popular speaker, and breast-cancer survivor who loves to touch readers and audiences with the healing power of laughter.

Born in Racine, Wisconsin (home of Western Printing and Johnson’s Wax—maker of your favorite floor care products) Laura moved to Phoenix, Arizona when she was in high school. But not being a fan of blazing heat and knowing that Uncle Sam was looking for a few good women, she enlisted in the United States Air Force shortly after graduation and spent the next five years flying a typewriter through Europe.

Her lifelong dream of writing fiction came true in Spring 2005 with the release of her first chick lit novel, Dreaming in Black & White which won the Contemporary Fiction Book of the Year from American Christian Fiction Writers. Her sophomore novel, Dreaming in Technicolor was published in Fall 2005.

Laura’s third novel, Reconstructing Natalie, chosen as the Women of Faith Novel of the Year for 2006, is the funny and poignant story of a young, single woman who gets breast cancer and how her life is reconstructed as a result. This book was born out of Laura’s cancer speaking engagements where she started meeting younger and younger women stricken with this disease—some whose husbands had left them, and others who wondered what breast cancer would do to their dating life. She wanted to write a novel that would give voice to those women. Something real. And honest. And funny.

Because although cancer isn’t funny, humor is healing.

To learn more about Laura’s latest novels, please check out her Books page.

A popular speaker and teacher at writing conferences, Laura has also been a guest on hundreds of radio and TV shows around the country including the ABC Weekend News, The 700 Club, and The Jay Thomas Morning Show.

She lives in Northern California with her Renaissance-man husband Michael, and Gracie, their piano playing dog.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sales clerk, barista, telemarketer, sign waver...

At twenty-five, free-spirited Becca Daniels is still trying to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. What Becca doesn’t want to be is bored. She craves the rush of a new experience, whether it’s an extreme sport, a shocking hair color, or a new guy. That’s why she quit her bookstore job, used her last bit of credit to go skydiving, and broke her leg.

And that’s why, grounded and grumpy, Becca bristles when teased by friends for being commitment-phobic. In response, Becca issues an outrageous wager—that she can sustain a three-month or twenty-five date relationship with the next guy who asks her out. When the guy turns out to be “churchy” Ben—definitely not Becca’s type—she gamely embarks on a hilarious series of dates that plunge her purple-haired, free-speaking, commitment-phobic self into the alien world of church potlucks and prayer meetings.

This irrepressible Getaway Girl will have you cheering her on as she “suffers” through her dates, gains perspective on her life’s purpose, and ultimately begins her greatest adventure of all.

***

The book description for this one is a slight bit misleading in my opinion. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. And was pretty surprised at the ending!

One thing to note, while this is a stand alone book, it is part of a collection of stories so there is some history with some of the characters that might have been nice to know.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Becca By The Book, go HERE

Wordless Wednesday: Ice Cream

Can't let even one little drop go to waste...

It's Ours

We got the key Friday night. We move our stuff on Saturday. We own a house. WOW.

(now, can anyone find me some motivation to pack?)

And if you are so inclined, please hop on over to An Island Life and vote for my house picture with Cory standing in front in the January photo contest. I promise you don't have to sign up for anything to vote! I get $20 to Starbucks or Amazon if I win... something for my hubby for all the work he will now have to do being a homeowner...

Listen Up!

I'm a big fan of hearing. Aren't we all? We need our hearing for a million different things. For me, music is important as I'm a musician. But I like hearing nature as well and sometimes that requires super fine hearing.

In our world today we are constantly bombarded by more and more gadgets that make noise. Some of those we can control the volume on, some we can't. Here's some info on protecting our, and especially our kid's, hearing.

***

Did you know that when MP3 players are purchased as gifts, the majority of purchasers are moms? That finding emerged at the Mommy Tech summit at the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show.

But do you know about the potential risks? Kids often don't know how to use audio technology safely and they can harm their hearing as a result. In fact, hearing loss among young people is reported to be on the rise and there are strong concerns that a generation of young people could end up with prevalent hearing loss.

"For some time, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has warned that hearing loss in the United States could rise significantly due to the misuse of personal audio technology," ASHA President Tommie L. Robinson, Jr. explains. "Unfortunately, a report released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation cites some alarming trends about excessive entertainment media consumption among our nation's children, indirectly supporting ASHA's concerns. This should be a warning to parents that they must regulate children's exposure and fully understand the potential health threats associated with misuse and over exposure to such technologies."

"ASHA will continue to bring these issues to the forefront and appreciates the Kaiser Family Foundation's contributions to the national dialogue," Robinson adds.

According to a 2004 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, children were reported as being exposed to 6 hours and 21 minutes of media (TV, music, internet, etc) per day. By 2009, this statistic had increased dramatically to 7 hours and 38 minutes per day. When media multitasking is taken into account, this leaps to 10 hours and 45 minutes per day. This massive consumption of media has led to decreased grades in school and ASHA contends it puts kids at an increased risk of hearing loss.

One thing that is clear from the study is that parents can be very positive influencers on how their children use entertainment media.

How You Can Help

Whether your child received an MP3 player, gaming device, cell phone, laptop, or any other device with headphones, don't overlook the important health threat of hearing loss. Now is the time to reach out to other parents about the importance of hearing loss prevention, the damaging effects of excessive media consumption, and the resources available to them through ASHA.

Here are two simple ways to protect your children's - and your own - hearing.

· Keep the volume down. A good guide is half volume.

· Limit listening time. Give your hearing 'quiet breaks'.


Find more information and statistics at ASHA's website. You can also follow their Twitter feed or fan them on Facebook to get real time updates on their work.

Content of this post is provided by the Global Influence Network.

Book: A Lady Like Sarah

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducing

A Lady Like SarahThomas Nelson; Original edition (December 22, 2009) byMargaret Brownley

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this, except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, "Maybe God's calling you to write fiction."

It turns out God was and Margaret did. She now has more than 20 novels to her credit. In addition, she's written many Christian articles and a non-fiction book. Still, it took a lot of prodding from God before Margaret tried her hand at writing inspirational fiction which led to her Rocky Creek series. "I love writing about characters at different stages of faith," she says of the new direction her writing career has taken, "and I'm here to stay."

Happily married to her real-life hero, Margaret and her husband live in Southern California.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sarah Prescott has never known a respectable life; just a hardscrabble childhood and brothers who taught her to shoot straight.

Justin Wells left Boston in disgrace, heading out alone on the dusty trail to Texas. But when the once-respected clergyman encounters a feisty redhead in handcuffs with a dying US Marshall at her side, their journey takes a dramatic turn.

His high society expectations and Sarah's outlaw habits clash from the start. With a price on her head and a sweet orphan in tow, Justin and Sarah make the difficult journey toward Rocky Creek. There justice will be meted out hopefully with a portion of grace.

***

This book was a decent historical fiction read. I like the way it seemed more realistic in what it was like to live back then, not glossing over the little daily things like not having a bath for days!
It's one of those books where you pretty much know that the guy and girl end up together, but you can't figure out how until the end. I like that kind of book.

However, two things about it really bugged me. First, I hate it when the cover description gives away a detail of the story that doesn't happen until half way through the book. Then I spend that long just waiting for it to happen and looking for it. Cover blurbs should be introductions, not give away half the story!

Second, there was one thing that one of the main characters did towards the end of the story that just so completely doesn't fit with the character of the person that it just messed up the story for me. If you can suspend reality for a bit and just let it be a story where someone's doing something out of love... perhaps, but when the character successfully avoids this area every other time, and the book is kind of focused on that... just pretty much ruined it. I hate it when that happens.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Lady Like Sarah, go HERE

Wordless Wednesday: The Zoo

Standing Guard - all the other gorillas were sleeping


The zoo in the rain (Seattle rain) means that not a lot of animals are out.
We had fun though!
(notice how much of his pant legs are wet...)

The New Year

Over at An Island Life there's a monthly photo contest going on. January's theme is The New Year, or specifically, what it means to you.

Usually the New Year means looking ahead and planning things for me. This year is some of the same (or actually a lot of the same), but in a totally different direction. Because if everything works out smoothly on Friday this will be our new home!

Cory meets his new house for the first time!

Right now I'm dreaming and planning all the things I will do to make this house a home! Of course I can't forget baby brother who will be joining us in a couple of months. This year will bring a lot of changes, but I'm excited!

If you have your own photo to enter about what the New Year means to you, by all means, join the fun!

Help for Haiti

I know that at the moment I don't think I can even process what is going on in Haiti. I saw the devastation of Katrina first hand months after the fact, when things were relatively cleaned up. I can't imagine living in the middle of that devastation with no water, food, or shelter.

Right now I wish with all my heart there was something physical and tangible I could do, but I can't. If you can, do it! If not, consider donating to help. I know there are many good organizations out there that are helping. Please make sure you do your research and aren't supporting a scam.

One that I know is NOT a scam is Compassion. They already have people living and working in Haiti and some of their employees from the Dominican Republic have come across the border to help. They are using relief funds to provide kits for families that include food, water, and basic supplies necessary for survival.

Haiti Earthquate

If you can spare even a few dollars, Compassion meets the highest standards for charities in the US and your money will be used to help those suffering after the Haiti Earthquake.

Thank you for helping.

Wordless Wednesday: Oregon Rain

Taken at a friend's house in Portland while we were down for Christmas.

Christmas in Oregon

We were visiting Brian's family for Christmas and it was a very nice day (perhaps I will get around to posting those pictures later...) but the most fun day was Sunday when all of my mother-in-law's parents and siblings and their respective families descended on the house! She is the oldest of 5 so it's quite the large family!

Cory and I stayed home from church since he was still running a bit of a fever and I had my lovely cold. At about 10 minutes to noon someone knocked on the front door. I sent Cory down to open it knowing that the family would love to see him first.

Well, he opened the door and I was surprised when he didn't recognize who was there since he knows most of the family members. I went down after him and opened to find this family standing on the step. It took me a second to register that they weren't actually supposed to be there since this is the one family that lives in MONTANA rather than Oregon!


I wish I could have seen the look on my own face when I realized who they were! They drove all the way to visit us and their other family members in Oregon! It was super fun for me to be there as everyone else arrived and see their surprised faces as well!

In all there were 24 people in the house and (sadly) only 2 missing members of the family. One had to work and his daughter was too sick to come.

Great grandma and great grandpa totally dote on Cory! He loves to play with Grandpa's walker (which is what he's standing on in this picture).

Aunt Priscilla and Uncle Dan

Aunt Cris, John, Mark, Becca, and her boyfriend Cameron

Aunt Cindi, Cassandra, and Brooklyn

Our lovely family! With Grandpa standing on his toes to be as tall as the "boys".

And lest you think that family pictures are all nice and warm fuzzies... these are some of the outtake shots!

Tiel being "hung" between Brian and Joktan
(I love Joktan's shirt! On the back it has a variety of spellings of the university crossed out and at the bottom it just says something about A Great University)

Becca and Uncle Dan - theater people both of them!

Those crazy Montanans... Butch and Shiela, Joktan, Keenan, and Tiel

I'm so glad I married into this fun family since my family was very spread out and we very rarely had large family gatherings.

Book: Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida
Summerside Press (November 1, 2009)
by
Sandra D. Bricker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For more than a decade, Author Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While writing in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television's hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver.

One of Sandie's passions revolves around the rights of animals. She's been involved in fundraising for Lost Angels Animal Rescue for several years now; in fact, a portion of the proceeds of Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida will go to help the non-profit group with their expenses. And Lost Angels paid her back in a big way: They brought a free-spirited Collie named Sophie into her life after the loss of her 15-year companion Caleb.

It was her 8th novel that opened the door to finding her way as a writer.

In Sandie's words: "I guess most people would see my career as a publicist as a sort of dream job. But giving it up turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me!" she declares. "Not only was I given the gift of getting to know my mother as an adult woman before she passed away, but I was also afforded the blessing of being able to focus completely on my dream of a writing career. I'm a Christian woman, first and foremost, so it was a bit of a dream-come-true when Summerside Press chose me as one of two authors to launch their new Love Finds You line."

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lawyer Cassie Constantine has no plans to stay in Florida. She's here just long enough to sell her late husband's vacation house, a tacky bungalow she's always despised, then she'll hightail it back to her gracious Boston brownstone.

But the place needs more work than Cassie bargained for. What's more, her widow status is like a target on her back and the elderly matchmakers around town manage to sidetrack her mission at every turn.

Holiday is a landmine of golf tournaments, ballroom dancing competitions, shuffleboard and day trips. But the biggest obstacle of all? Richard Dillon, the stuffed shirt she's paired with on the dance floor.

Cassie had always considered herself uptight but Richard won't take a walk on the beach without his socks and shoes! There's one little problem he makes her heart beat faster than the rhythm of the quickstep. Can Cassie and Richard let loose long enough to have a little fun?

***

This was the perfect book to read over Christmas vacation. It's set at Christmas time in Florida, but not really a Christmas book. It was a fun light read with just a bit of a mystery thrown in. The one thing that surprised me though, the main character was at retirement age and somehow I expected a younger "heroine", I guess because it's a love story. It just threw me for a minute, especially since the book starts with a flashback to when she was young and then I couldn't place the first chapter. Other than that, it was a great little escape read!


If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida, go HERE.

Remembering Lilly

Today I am in Seattle for my great aunt Lilly's funeral. She died unexpectedly on New Year's Eve at the age of 87.

On her 85th birthday - June 2006

I'm not sure I can do justice to who she really was since I didn't live near her for most of my life so only saw her on occasion.

She was my mom's dad's sister and their family came from Sweden around the turn of the century. As the youngest of 6 (and the only girl!) she was born here, but her three oldest brothers were born in Sweden, including my grandfather.

At my wedding in 2005

She spent her married life in Seattle and ran a Scandinavian imports store with her husband, who was Norwegian. I have a wooden plate in my kitchen from her that says (in Swedish) "Give us this day our daily bread". It used to hang in her kitchen and I always remember seeing it when we visited her. She gave it to me when she moved into the retirement home a couple years ago.

Happy 85th Birthday!

For her 85th birthday she wanted to hold a family celebration. We used to have family reunions in Spokane when I was growing up, but they haven't had any for probably 15 years and I think she wanted to have everyone together again. She planned most of it and held it at her church. It was a lot of fun for her and all of us.

These are the children and grandchildren and a few great-grandchildren of Lilly's siblings. Her one remaining brother, Uncle Dick, is in the front row with her and my grandmother, Myrna, her only remaining sister-in-law, is to the right. And there are quite a few family members missing!

In 2003-2004 I lived south of Seattle with a roommate. I only got Christmas day off so I didn't have time to drive home for Christmas and instead spent the day with Aunt Lilly and 2 of her nieces (and one of their granddaughters). It was such a fun girls day with 4 generations of family from different branches of the family tree together. I don't remember what we ate or really what we did, but it was a good day for me even though I didn't get to be with my immediate family.

Even though I didn't see her often Lilly was a favorite great aunt. I hope I'm as sweet and welcoming as she was when I get old!

Wordless Wednesday: King of the Mountain

Alternately titled: I Love Snow!
(he must get that from his Mama...)

Book: The Silent Governess

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Silent Governess
Bethany House; Original edition (January 1, 2010)
by
Julie Klassen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie says: My background is in advertising and marketing, but I am blessed with a dream job—working as an editor of Christian fiction. I have been writing since childhood, but Lady of Milkweed Manor was my first novel. It was a finalist for a Christy Award and won second place in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards. My second novel, The Apothecary's Daughter, was a finalist in the ACFW Book of the Year awards. I am currently writing one novel a year.

I graduated from the University of Illinois and enjoy travel, research, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends.

My husband and I have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.


ABOUT THE BOOK


Olivia Keene is fleeing her own secret. She never intended to overhear his.

But now that she has, what is Lord Bradley to do with her? He cannot let her go, for were the truth to get out, he would lose everything--his reputation, his inheritance, his very home.

He gives Miss Keene little choice but to accept a post at Brightwell Court, where he can make certain she does not spread what she heard. Keeping an eye on the young woman as she cares for the children, he finds himself drawn to her, even as he struggles against the growing attraction. The clever Miss Keene is definitely hiding something.

Moving, mysterious, and romantic, The Silent Governess takes readers inside the intriguing life of a nineteenth-century governess in an English manor house where all is not as it appears.

***

I had every intention of reading this book... but you know how it goes! I didn't receive it until we got home from our Christmas break and there's been a million little things to catch up on around the house! It looks good though!

If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of The Silent Governess, go HERE.

27 Weeks

I looked at my side bar this week and the number on the baby "ticker" was less than 100. It shocked me there for a second! I knew in my head that I was almost 6 months, but thinking about it as 3 months to go... wow, I wasn't ready for that! I have a hundred and one things to do in these next couple months so I guess I'd better start making lists! Thank goodness we don't need much for this little guy considering we have all of Cory's stuff and their birthdays will most likely be just days apart!


I suppose I shouldn't be surprised how far along I am what with how much my belly is sticking out these days... but I guess since this time around I also know how much bigger it's going to get it doesn't feel so big! The little man is kicking up a storm and he really hates to be crowded. Anytime I bend over he lets me know. It helps my posture when I'm sitting since I can't slouch without getting punches to the ribs!

Other than that we're plugging along. Sleeping is going okay now that I'm back in my own bed. I'm hopeful that this will help me get over the cold that I've now had for 3 weeks as well. That was not a fun way to spend Christmas vacation. So I guess that means I should head off to bed now!

Happy New Year... I'm still here!

Wow, I have been neglecting my poor blog and bloggy friends lately! I would say I have plenty of reasons, but I don't want to make this a habit!

To make it short and sweet... after the last post about the crazy house that we saw we did end up making an offer on the "normal" house. They counter offered and so did we, but finally we came to an agreement that wasn't too bad. We had the home inspection, which didn't find too many things wrong, and then we left for Christmas vacation!
Nothing like trying to do everything to buy a house over the phone and email!

So, if everything goes well, we should be closing just after the middle of the month, which will give us some time to do a few things before we move in... like make a laundry room in the back of the garage rather than in the kitchen! Get the ceiling spray painted (it's popcorn ceiling), and a couple other minor things.

I got to pick out new vinyl for the kitchen this week! They had to repair the floor from a leak and we asked to choose the vinyl with their approval. It will be so much nicer than the 80's "country" pattern that's there now and we can match it out into the laundry room too.

Other than thinking about the house... we spent 10 days in Oregon with the grandparents and had a great time. Well, other than being sick and in a house full of people that makes sleeping hard! We even had a Christmas night ER visit with Cory spiking a temperature up to 104. He was fine with lots of Tylenol and Motrin, but oy, not a place we really wanted to visit!

I'll write more about Christmas and New Year's later... hopefully complete with pictures!

How have your vacations been?