It's ME....

Beyond the Storm by Carolyn Zane

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Beyond the Storm Abingdon Press (October 2012) by Carolyn Zane
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author of 35 books, wife, mother and yes…hot (flasher) lives with her fabulous husband, Matt and their 5 children and 3 dogs in the scenic Willamette Valley in Oregon. When asked to describe her family, Carolyn likens her crowd to the Brangelia Bunch saying modestly, “Only we’re better looking.” Right now,Carolyn is back in the saddle with her new title: Beyond The Storm, coming out in October 2012! In the mean time, be sure to catch her on the critically acclaimed TOOHOTMAMAS Blog where Carolyn and Wendy tackle Marriage, motherhood and menopause: How to do all three and stay out of prison! They are hilarious! You'll wet yourself, guaranteed! Visit them at: www.toohotmamas.wordpress.com.

ABOUT THE BOOK

After a tornado rips through her town, store owner Abigail comes across a piece of fabric from a wedding dress among the devastation. Abigail is moved to start collecting other swatches of fabric she finds – her neighbor’s kitchen curtains, a man’s necktie, a dog’s bed – which she stashes in shopping bags. As she pursues her seemingly absurd quest, horrible realities spark the question, “What kind of a God would allow such tragedy?”

As she struggles to reconcile her right to happiness amidst the destruction, Abigail begins piecing together a patchwork quilt from the salvaged fabric in hopes it will bring some peace. But a new relationship with Justin, a contractor, may require too much of her fragile heart. Will her pain and questions of faith give way to the courage to love?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Beyond the Storm, go HERE.

long time of winnings.....

I haven't posted in awhile (February-ish) things I've won   so I'll post them here and try to get caught up...
I'll try to remember where it was all won but I just don't know that I'll remember; since it's been so long.....

this one showed up in my mailbox just this week and I just don't have any records of winning it so I don't know who to give credit to. Sorry

won @ the PURSE-onality Challenge blog

won @ Did you see that? blog

won @ Everyday Mom's Meals

won @ 3 kids and lots of pigs blog

won @ 3 kids and lots of pigs blog

won @ GoGrahamGo

won @ GoGrahamGo

won @ the Knowlton Nest

contest with author Roseanna M. White

won @ Mom's Focus on Cyber World

won @ Hope's Cafe

won @ Quilt Doodle Doodles

won @ Barbara Bieraugel designs blog

won @ CircleCadventures

won @ Prairie Moon Qults

won @ Outnumbered 3 to 1

won @ Minding spot

won @ Pawsitive Living

won @ Mommy Kat and Kids

Chesseburger 'n Fries Casserole

So I won this book.....

I have made a few recipes from it, but my dd was looking through it and came across some helpful pages of common substitutes.  Actually there are about 6 pages.  now how cool is that I won't have to run to my computer I can just pick up my favorite cookbook company....Gooseberry Patch.  WooHoo!

Now for the recipe...I love simple things...of course I tweaked it a small bit cause I didn't have exactly what was called for. 

p. 111 of Simple Shortcut Recipes by Gooseberry Patch

Brown 2 lbs of ground beef and chopped onions, drain and place in greased 9x13 pan or baking dish. 

 Mix together 1 can of mushroom soup and cheddar cheese soup ( I didn't have cheese soup so I used cheese spread in it's place)  spread over ground beef mix.

layer package of frozen french fries on top...(as you can see I didn't have french fries so I used tator tots.)  Bake in 350 degree oven for 45-55 min. until fries are golden.

Garnish with favorite burger condiments:  catsup, dill pickles, mustard, topped tomatoes, onions, etc.  (I just set these on the table and let everyone fix theirs as they like.)
My family started off taking a bite or two on their plate plain.  Then building on it...
catchup... taste
mustard... taste
pickles...taste
The verdict....
hubby liked plain or just ketchup
dd liked ketchup and mustard
and me...  I loved the works.

There you have it folks plain, quick, simple, and yummy all rolled into one. 

also posted @:

Undaunted DVD

Undaunted is a 60 minute inspirational movie portraying Josh McDowell's early life.  It is a cross between a documentary and drama film.  McDowell, himself, narrates throughout the film.  It is a very gripping movie as McDowell tells of the abuse of his alcoholic father and a  hired man that also sexually abused him.  It takes you from early childhood about age 8 through his college days.  I heard only one swear word as it spilled from his drunken father during the whole movie presentation.  If you are one that likes commentary and drama then you'll probably like this movie.  A movie of inspiration and learning to forgive those that have done us wrong. 



For more inforamtion about Undaunted visit here.

 Visit Echolight Sudios web site for more inspirational movies

A copy of this DVD was provided by ALRC in exchange for my honest review.

Sew Excited

Last night was the Oct. FridayNight Sew-In with Heidi and Bobbie before I saw you what I got accomplished I thought I'd give you a sneak preview at my yummy goodies that I got for my daughter's senior quilt.  I am sew excited to see this come together.  Hopefully, I'll get started on it next week.  Before I show you the material I'll show you the pattern.....

It is called Just Flutterin'  and I don't remember what site I downloaded it from; it has been so long.  I'm going to revise it just a tish bit as I'm going to make the big butterflies (there are 6-two in each color) all the same color.  The pattern calls for a two-tone 1/2 solid 1/2 print.  You can kind of see it on the top page, but the bottom page of the pattern is little better picture of it.

And now for the fabric i chose...it is sew bright and cheery.....

There are about four different print type groups...

I'm sew in love with these fabrics.  I can't wait to see how this all comes out.   And now for a peak at what I accomplished last night in sew-in.  I got a few hours in.  I'm done with the "x's" we are working on the outlining so you can't see much of what was accomplished but here are the before and after pictures....

before FNSI

after FNSI

The Time has come

Well the time has come....Tonight is the Friday night Sew In.  Don't know what it is all about check out this web site here  and then sign up here.  It is always fun one night a month to have a sewing partner...well you really aren't together but everyone around the world is sewing so you aren't alone in that aspect.   Just get comfy and turn on fav. music and sew, sew, sew.   Heidi and Bobbie host this fun night every month.  I'm hoping to get some sewing in, but hubby is home tonight so I don't know how much I'll be able to sneak in.

Guess what I did last night???  Yep went on a fabric buying binge..Sssssshhhhh don't tell anyone.  It cost me $59 just for the quilt top  Y-I-K-E-S!! But it was sew much fun mixing and matching and trying to get it all figured out.  It took me almost 3 hours.  I can't wait to show off the materials; however,  I haven't taken pictures yet, that is one of my many projects for today.  Have to get started on this project.  I have about 7 months to complete it  double YIKES.  Next week hubby closes three nights so maybe we'll get lots done.  I sew hope sew. 

Spend the day hunting up your sewing stuff....