Monday, October 31, 2011

Daybook ~ Oct. 31, 2011


Outside my window...it is a cloudy, dreary fall day.

I am thinking…that I need to make a pie today.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie


I am thankful for...caramel apples


From the kitchen…all is pretty quiet and cleaned up from lunch

I am wearing…my fav. jean skirt with new-to-me (second-hand find) soft warm top

I am creating…a Christmas shopping list

I am going…to take daughter to work shortly

I am reading…Remembering You by Tricia Goyer

I am hoping…to work on my bears that I'm making

I am hearing...the furnace just kicked in and turning of pages from my daughter working on her school work.

Around the house…things are nice and cozy

One of my favorite things…watching a good clean movie

A few plans for the rest of the week…babysitting a friends daughter while she's in the hospital

Photo for thought…

Today is National Caramel Apple Day

Check out this site:  everything you need to know about Caramel Apples.

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Maggie's Journey by Lena Nelson Dooley


This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Maggie's Journey
Realms (October 4, 2011)
by
Lena Nelson Dooley


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 675,000 books in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers http://www.acfw.com/ and president of the local chapter, DFW Ready Writers. She’s also a member of Christian Authors Network, CROWN Fiction Marketing, and Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Travel is always on her horizon. Cruising, Galveston, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Mexico. One day it will be Hawaii and Australia, but probably not the same year. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with fifteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins from American Christian Fiction Writers and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award at their national conference. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books. And she loves chocolate, especially dark chocolate.

Her last release is Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, from Summerside Press recently won the Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing western fiction. Lena is currently under two 3-book contracts with Charisma House/Realms.

In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally.

Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books. You can check out her books and find out more about her on her blog.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Near her eighteenth birthday, Margaret Lenora Caine finds a chest hidden in the attic containing proof that she's adopted. The spoiled daughter of wealthy merchants in Seattle, she feels betrayed by her real parents and by the ones who raised her. But mystery surrounds her new discovery, and when Maggie uncovers another family secret, she loses all sense of identity. Leaving her home in Seattle, Washington, Maggie strikes out to find her destiny. Will Charles Stanton, who's been in love with her for years, be able to help her discover who she really is?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Maggie's Journey, go HERE.


Saturday, October 29, 2011

Guest post: Family Traditions part 1

Family Traditions - Part One 

by Amanda Bennette



"Hey Mom, don’t forget that we’re going out for pizza after this last game of the season. It’s a tradition, remember?"
"Dad, when are you going to get the bales of hay and pumpkins for your autumn masterpiece? Can I go, too? It’s a tradition, you know!"
Tradition—just the word sometimes sounds old and from past generations, doesn’t it? Yet family traditions have helped many a family stay together and strong over the past years, and probably for generations to come. Traditions are so important in families. The sense of security and love that is felt when observing traditions as a family will stay with our children for the rest of their lives.....(visit Amanda's Explore the World site here for the rest of the article)


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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Wordless Wednesday ~ Old Look, New Look

old drapes had serious problems.
torn, frayed and ready for a change
You'll probably notice that the day time & season changes with the OLD and NEW LOOKS
hehehehe




OLD LOOK




NEW LOOK









Mommy Moment








Mom Spotted





Busy Working 
Mama


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Fall ingredient: Pumpkin recipes

Fall's Favorite Ingredient...Pumpkin!

RecipeRoundUpBanner
Yesterday, we asked our fans on Facebook which favorite fall ingredient
we should gather up today...the runaway winner was PUMPKIN!
Whether you make muffins, pie, a cream-filled roll or another treat,
we're rounding up your recipes today. So tell us...
What's YOUR favorite PUMPKIN recipe? 
Share 'em all in today's Recipe Round-Up!
Check out Gooseberry Patch blog for a recipe to inspire you from Autumn with Family & Friends,
our Cookbook of the Week.






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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Apple Crisp in a MUG

you've heard of cakes in a mug? Well, Laura Williams' Musings inspired me this morning with a post she posted on Pies and Crisp in Cast Iron skillet. Check out her post here.  Tonight I wanted a quick dessert so I thought to myself why wouldn't crisp in a mug work.  So I tried it, hubby was guinea pig.  He teasingly asked if he has signed a contract consenting to be guinea pig.  I told him yes, when he signed the marriage license 25+ years ago.    Any way it turned out pretty yummy.  I wish I had taken pictures, but it was kind of the last minute throw together thing so sorry there are no pictures.  Just tell you what I did.  Guess you have to use your imagination with the pictures.  


And now my Apple Crisp in a Mug


Ingredients:  (made 2 large 24 oz. mugs)
4 small-medium apples, peeled and cored and sliced
2 Tablespoons white sugar
1 cup of rolled or quick oats
1/2 cup of brown sugar
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1-2 Tablespoons margarine  


Directions:
1.)  in sprayed mugs put apples and sprinkle with white sugar
2.) mix together oats, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon.  Put this mixture over the apple slices in the mugs
3.)  Place dots of margarine on top of oat mixture
4.)  Microwave for 8 minutes
5.)  Serve hot with ice cream on top.  YUMMY! 


Visit the TMTT blog hop here for more yummy recipes.


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Attracted to Fire by DiAnn Mills


This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Attracted to Fire
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (October 1, 2011)
by
DiAnn Mills


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

DiAnn Mills believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. Her books have won many awards through American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005, 2007, and 2010. She was a Christy Award finalist in 2008 and a Christy winner in 2010. DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is the Craftsman Mentor for the Christian Writer’s Guild. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops. DiAnn and her husband live in Houston, Texas. Visit her website at: www.diannmills.com or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/diannmills

ABOUT THE BOOK

Special Agent Meghan Connors’ dream of one day protecting the president of the United States is about to come true. Only one assignment stands in her way. After the vice president’s rebellious daughter is threatened, Meghan is assigned to her protective detail on a secluded ranch in West Texas. Unfortunately, working with Special Agent in Charge Ash Zinders may be as tough as controlling her charge. Ash has a reputation for being critical and exacting, and he’s also after the same promotion as Meghan. But when the threats escalate and security on the ranch is breached, it becomes clear this isn’t the work of a single suspect—it’s part of a sophisticated plan that reaches deeper and higher than anyone imagined. And only Ash and Meghan can put the pieces together before it’s too late.

Watch the book trailer:



If you would like to read the first chapter of Attracted to Fire, go HERE.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Sqeaked some SEWing in...

Handmade by Heidi

 Well, I didn't get as much sewing done last night for Oct's FNSI as I was hoping.  Hubby came home Thursday night and made the announcement, "By the way, I work a midshift tomorrow night (10am-7pm)"  Oh, bummer there goes my sewing night I thought; however, I did manage to get a little sewing in at different times.  I started early  hehehehe.  like in the am. Daughter didn't have school so we decided to watch a movie before lunch, have lunch then make a quick, hehehe, trip to Wal-Mart before she had to be back for work.  Anyway while we watched the movie I did work on getting all the bears (remember I'm making 5 of these guys) parts turned and ready for stuffing.  Then took a break and was able to do about an hour of sewing after I got her to work before my hubby got home.  Then took a break and watched a movie with hubby.  After the movie he wanted to read his news for the day on the computer so I sewed a little more before we headed to bed.  So my sewing wasn't all in one setting it was spread through out the day.  However, did manage to complete one bear fully.  I think he looks like a mouse instead of a bear and there are a few mistakes, but for the first guy (remember I'm making 5 of these guys) he didn't turn out too awfully bad now for the pictures.  Sorry for the quality of one picture it was hard to take pictures and be in them at the same time. 












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Thursday, October 20, 2011

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin



This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Wonderland Creek
Bethany House (October 1, 2011)
by
Lynn Austin


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.

Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.

Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.

Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published twelve novels. Five of her historical novels have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. And two of her inspirational fiction books were chosen by Library Journal for their top picks in 2003, and 2005. One of Lynn's novels has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Alice Grace Ripley lives in a dream world, her nose stuck in a book. But happily-ever-after life she's planned on suddenly falls apart when her boyfriend, Gordon, breaks up with her, accusing her of living in a world of fiction instead of the real world. Then to top it off, Alice loses her beloved job at the library because of cutbacks due to the Great Depression.

Fleeing small-town gossip, Alice heads to the mountains of eastern Kentucky to deliver five boxes of donated books to the library in the tiny coal-mining village of Acorn. Dropped off by her relatives, Alice volunteers to stay for two weeks to help the librarian, Leslie McDougal.

But the librarian turns out to be far different than she anticipated--not to mention the four lady librarians who travel to the remote homes to deliver the much-desired books. While Alice is trapped in Acorn against her will, she soon finds that real-life adventure and myster--and especially romance--are far better than her humble dreams could have imagined.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Wonderland Creek, go HERE.


Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Love on the Line by Dee Gist



This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Love on the Line
Bethany House (October 1, 2011)
by
Deeanne Gist


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

After a short career in elementary education, Deeanne Gist retired to raise her four children. Over the course of the next fifteen years, she ran a home accessory and antique business, became a member of the press, wrote freelance journalism for national publications such as People, Parents, Parenting, Family Fun, Houston Chronicle and Orlando Sentinel, and acted as CFO for her husband’s small engineering firm--all from the comforts of home.

Squeezed betwixt-and-between all this, she read romance novels by the truckload and even wrote a couple of her own. While those unpublished manuscripts rested on the shelf, she founded a publishing corporation for the purpose of developing, producing and marketing products that would reinforce family values, teach children responsibility and provide character building activities.

After a few short months of running her publishing company, Gist quickly discovered being a "corporate executive" was not where her gifts and talents lie. In answer to Gist’s fervent prayers, God sent a mainstream publisher to her door who licensed her parenting I Did It!® product line and committed to publish the next generation of her system, thus freeing Gist to return to her writing.

Eight months later, she sold A Bride Most Begrudging to Bethany House Publishers. Since that debut, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, three RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.

Her latest releases, Beguiled, Maid To Match, and Love on the Line are now available.

Gist lives in Texas with her husband of twenty-eight years and their border collie. They have four grown children. Click here to find out the most up-to-the-minute news about Dee.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man's world ... which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.

Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He's a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman is the last thing he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love on the Line, go HERE.