A Bond Never Broken by Judith Miller

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Bond Never Broken Bethany House (March 1, 2011) by Judith Miller

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A Word from Judith:

Most readers want to know how authors 'got started' writing. My first novel, Threads of Love, was conceived when I was commuting sixty miles to work each day. I wanted to tell the story of a pioneer girl coming to Kansas and the faith that sustained her as she adjusted to a new life. When the book was completed, I tucked it away. I had absolutely no idea how publication of a book occurred and had given no thought to the concept. However, through a co-worker, I was directed to Tracie Peterson who, at that time, worked down the hall from me. Having never met Tracie, I was totally unaware of her writing career, but God intervened. The rest is, as they say, history...

With a graciousness that continues to amaze me, Tracie agreed to read my story, directed me to a publisher, and gave me information on a Christian writers conference. Since that first encounter many years ago, I have been blessed with the publication of numerous books, novellas and a juvenile fiction book. Joyously, Tracie and I had the opportunity to develop a blessed friendship. In fact, we have co-authored several series together, including The Bells of Lowell, the Lights of Lowell and The Broadmoor Legacy. In addition, I have continued to write several solo series.

ABOUT THE BOOK

For many years, Ilsa Redlich has helped her parents run a hotel in South Amana, but as the United States enters the Great War, she can feel her world changing. The residents of the towns surrounding the Amana Colonies used to be accepting of their quiet, peaceful neighbors, but with anti-German sentiment running high, the Amana villages are now plagued by vandalism, threats, and insults.

Things get even worse when Ilsa finds out her family won't be allowed to speak German in public--and that Garon, the childhood friend she's long been smitten with, has decided to join the army. Jutta Schmidt is shocked when several members of the Council of National Defense show up on her family's doorstep. Sure, the Schmidts once lived in the Amana Colonies, but that was years ago. She's even more surprised when the council demands that she travel to Amana and report back on any un-American activities.

Not daring to disobey the government agents, Jutta takes a job at the South Amana hotel, befriends the daughter of the owners, and begins to eavesdrop every chance she gets. When Jutta hears Ilsa making antiwar remarks and observes Garon assisting a suspicious outsider, she is torn at the prospect of betraying her new friends.

But what choice does she have? And when Garon is accused of something far worse than Jutta could imagine, can the Amana community come to his aid in time?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bond Never Broken, go HERE.

Think Green....Think Spring...

Welcome to the

 "Think Green...Think Spring"  
Edition of the

Homesteading Carnival

This month we have one cool Carnival with many entries.  I'm also adding Mr. Linky so you can add entries that you'd like to include in the carnival this month.  

Why did I name it Think Green...Think Spring...  Well, because March is St. Patty's day and everyone is starting to see signs of Spring and think Spring.  I had two posts in my email with people already seeing robins and flowers starting to bloom.  So, I'm up here in North Dakota and we still have a good three months left of white stuff before we start seeing anything Green come alive so I'm in the mood.

First let's start our carnival with a little note of reminder from Sherri as today, Mar. 1st,  being National Peanut Butter day.  So celebrate the day and visit Sherri's post posted at about.com Family crafts for some really cool ideas on celebrating.  She has crafts, games and other activities she has shared.  Visit Peanut Butter Day Lover's Ideas.   You could hop on over to Bless their Hearts Mom and check out her yummy sounding Peanut Butter Pie recipe and make it up for a special treat to celebrate the day.  Sherri also says it is National Pig day and National share a Smile day check out her ideas by clicking on the links highlighted.

check out my Peanut Butter Dream Pie here

Do you have a Peanut Butter recipe you'd like to share?  

Post it in the Mr. Linky.  I love getting new recipes. 

Now on with the Green....

Joleen is blogging over at Jobie's Crafts is whipping up some green fun with her pinch of green headband  or you might have a little boy who would rather have the Luck of the Irish Pin she posted.  she says, "These are good crafts to make for St. Patrick's Day!"  Joleen has posted a cute pom-pom pig craft  this is "A wonderful craft to do with the kids!" if you want to celebrate National pig day.

Linda has shared a really green cake recipe that sounds quite yummy to me.  Maybe you'll want to whip up one for a St. Patty's day treat for your family.  Check out the Easy Pistachio Cake posted at Prairie Flower Farm. 

Before we head into our Spring section, I want to share Erik's link for the Best Homemade Chili, Easy (I like that), healthy (ok I can handle that) and cheap (I'll go for it).  This is what he says about his chili, "I’m going to reveal to you my “secret” chili recipe that a lot of people have given me compliments on in the past. And the best part about this recipe is that it costs less than $15 to buy all of the ingredients."  

Spring.... Onward, HO!

With Spring we think of cleaning and getting our house, yard and garden all spruced up.  There are many posts this week that will help to turn our attention in that way.  But before we go off on sprucing up, you might have a little set back with a sick toddler seems like this is the season.  Well, Lori has just the post to meet that need at ParentingSquad she posted 10 Ways to Entertain a sick toddler check it out.

Now on to the lovely job of Spring Cleaning... Rosa has posted 10 household Spring Cleaning tips as well as 10 types of Curtains to cover your windows.  Still inside Lisa has posted 10 fun projects to decorating your home.  Maybe you'd like to turn your attention to your office area, Cathy has just the post for you 10 ways to a truly Green office. 

We're heading outside now to finish up our carnival.  Laura has an unusual post on Chewing on your landscape.  This is really interesting.  She says, "The goal is an edible landscape. We're working on it!"  She blogs at Bit of Earth Farm.

No house is complete without owning a pet.  Monte has a nice post about the Benefits of Owning a Pet you may want to head over to his site and read the post.  Then you can share your knowledge that you learned during you family meeting as Alyssa has share some tips on How to hold a family meeting at ParentingSquad.  Then you'll need to head over and read Kathleen's post on tips for house breaking your puppy, that is if you get a puppy.   

That concludes our "Think Green...Think Spring" Edition of the Homesteading Carnival.  I'd like to thank everyone that posted an article.  Remember you can still add to this carnival if you have a post by adding it to Mr. Linky below or you may submit it for later posting by using this easy form here. 

Bragging about my new pans...

OK so I'm a little behind the times maybe someday I'll get caught up.  Just wanted to thank CSN stores-online for the wonderful opportunity to review their products and blab about it.  I have been wanting a jelly roll pan so CSN stores online provided me with just that.  I received the jelly roll combo pack by Calphalon of their classic bakeware.....

So I started looking for a yummy jelly roll recipe. By the Way there are oodles out there.  However, this one kind of found me.  I had this Taste of Home magazine (June/July 1999) just stare up at me from the library giveaway table.  Low and behold there it was a chocolate roll right on the front cover.  Bingo!  I nabbed the magazine and the rest is history.  It was a winner for my family.

Chocolate Zucchini Roll
(from Taste of Home magazine ~ June/July 1999)
Victoria Zmarzley-Hahn, Northampton, PA

Ingredients:
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup shredded peeled zucchini
Filling:
1 - 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar
Additional confectioners' sugar

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs and vanilla.

 Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

Add to egg mixture and mix well.

Stir in zucchini

Spread into a greased and waxed paper-lined 15-in x 10-in. x 1-in jelly roll pan

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.  

Turn onto a linen towel dusted with confectioner's sugar.

Peel off waxed paper

 Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting with a short side.

Cool on a wire rack.

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy.

 Beat in confectioner's sugar.

 Unroll cooled cake

Spread filling to within 1-in of edges.

 Roll up again

 Dust with confectioners' sugar

 Refrigerate until serving.

Yield:  10 servings

**Disclaimer:  This jelly roll pan was provided by CSN stores online in place of my honest review of their product.  I was not compensated for anything besides a code to purchase the jelly roll pans for this review.** 

When All My Dreams Come True by Janelle Mowery

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing When All My Dreams Come True Harvest House Publishers (February 1, 2011) by Janelle Mowery

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beginning in 1998, Janelle Mowery coordinated and wrote for the Children’s Ministry of a Christian website called The Invisible Connection. When the holder of that site discontinued the ministry and website in the year 2000, she began writing inspirational fiction romance novels.

Janelle became a member of American Christian Fiction Writers in the year 2002 and is an active member and leader in one of their critique groups, which has provided many opportunities for growth and development. In 2003, she entered her first novel in the Noble Theme contest and was named one of the top ten finalists in the historical category. In 2004, she had a short story titled ‘A Fair Chance’ published in the e-magazine, Romancing the Christian Heart. In 2005, her third novel, entered in the San Gabriel Writers’ League ‘Writing Smarter’ Contest, won first place. Also, Janelle’s fifth novel made it to the top ten finalists in the Noble Theme contest.

In 2006, she signed her first contract with Barbour Publishing in their Heartsong Presents Mysteries line. The novel, Where the Truth Lies, which she co-authored with Elizabeth Ludwig, released in spring of 2008. The second and third mysteries of the series, Died in the Wool and A Black Die Affair, is set for release in 2011.

Janelle has signed with Harvest House for a historical series set in Colorado. Release of the first book is set for early 2011. She has also signed with Summerside Press. Her novel, Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho, released in October 2010.

Janelle has been married twenty-one years and is the mother of two sons. She is a member of Sandy Point Bible Church and serves as Treasurer. She also assists in the church’s teen program.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Bobbie McIntyre dreams of running a ranch of her own. Raised without a mother and having spent most of her time around men, she knows more about wrangling than acting like a lady. The friendship of her new employer awakens a desire to learn more about presenting her feminine side, but ranch life keeps getting in the way.

Ranch owner Jace Kincaid figures the Lord is testing his faith when a female wrangler shows up looking for work. Bobbie has an uncanny way of getting under his skin, though, and he’s surprised when she finds a home next to his heart. But when his cattle begin to go missing and his wranglers are in danger from some low-down cattle thief, can Jace trust God, even if it may mean giving up on his dreams?

An adventurous novel of faith, hope, and love in the Wild West.

If you would like to read the first chapter of When All My Dreams Come True, go HERE.

Some assembly required...

WOOHOO!  
I'm doing the happy dance today.

  

With our tax refund I was able to get some new kitchen chairs to go with an oak table that our friends gave us.  Hubby has been resanding table and adding new varnish.  It is ready to hit the Kitchen floor.  Picked up the chairs today.  Though we didn't get them through the CSN stores they are the same exact ones that I've had my eye on at the CSN Stores...

The furniture store we ordered them through called on Thursday and said they could be picked up last night (Friday).  However, hubby worked so he picked them up this morning....

2 chairs one box....hummmm some assembly required obviously.  Not quite how I was expecting them to come, but ok we can handle this.... Well, hubby can at least.  hehehehe

Looks like he got it together.  Now we have to get the new oak table up.  I'll post pictures later next week of the new look.  I'm so excited.  The chairs are so neat and look ever so nice and even very comfortable.  You can order them from CSN stores and even get different fabric patterns.  We could have ordered any fabric but it would have cost extra through the furniture store, if we ordered what they carried we got a discount. 

Where were you when the lights went out???

Every home needs lighting of some kind...

outdoor lights

As well, as

Indoor lights

  Well look no further than the Pendant Lighting at the CSN stores online.  

They have such a wide variety of lights to choose from, To meet any need or room in the house or outside.  Your options are very great.  Check them out today.  Be watching for my product review from the CSN stores.

**Disclaimer I was not paid for this post. I was given a $70 gift code to use at CSNstores in exchange for this post plus a product review post of the item of my choice.**

Ways to Ruin your Child...

Check out this article by author and speaker, Tricia Goyer

How to Ruin Your Kid For Life, A Top Ten List

There are all types of lists for parents. If you want a list to ruin your kids forever, here's a list for you.

1. Give your kid everything he wants. Don't deny what will truly make him happy. Overvalue money and things in his eyes

2. Dress your child in designer clothes, no matter the cost. Show her that her outward appearance matters most of all... (read rest of the article here)