Thursday, August 30, 2012

Southern Style ~ Rural Thursday

Many times we've driven down the back roads in our county and seen some lovely historic homes but we had missed this one.


The Lightfoot William Hoyle Homestead, sitting way off the road, is an impressive place.  


I really wanted to trespass and get some closeups...


but thought better of it. 
Instead I tried to zoom the best I could with my point and shoot camera. 


This will have to do but to get on the property and explore would be wonderful! 
I might have to ask my neighbor, who is a Hoyle, if she's related in any way. 
If so, maybe I can get a tour ;) 

I think it's so sad that no one inhabits this stately home anymore. In our area, instead of selling to someone who would restore the homes and love them as they should be loved, they usually just let them fall down from decay. I did find out on the internet that Lightfoot William Hoyle (cool name) was born in 1829 and died in 1914, but did he buy this from someone and move his family in, or did he build it? How old is it, exactly? Did they have summer parties on the lawn, and the ladies wear beautiful gowns and sashay around like in Gone with the Wind? We live in a very historic area where several battles from the Civil War took place. Did Lightfoot fight in the war? Was the home used as a hospital?  
Inquiring minds want to know! Well...mine anyway.

Images are mine. Please don't take them without asking. Not that anyone would want them. I'm just sayin'. 

I'm linked with Rural Thursday.


Monday, August 27, 2012

New from Tyndale House ~

ABDUCTED: Pacific Coast Justice #2


After solving the mayor’s murder and exposing corruption among the top brass in Las Playas, Carly Edwards is happy to be back on patrol with her partner, Joe, putting bad guys behind bars. For once, everything in life seems to be going right.

But then everything starts going wrong. Slow to recover from an injury, her ex-husband, Nick, begins pulling away just as they were starting to get close again. Meanwhile, when Joe’s wife lands in the hospital with a mysterious illness, their baby is kidnapped. As Carly chases down every lead in a desperate search to find the baby, her newfound faith is pushed to its limits.


To read an excerpt, go here.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Good News



One of the many photos taken on a day trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains - a time of refreshment and renewal - during some extremely difficult days. 
Always remembering that My God Reigns and my daughter is rejoicing in the arms of Jesus!


I'm linked with 

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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Trailer Tuesday ~ Before the Season Ends

This is absolutely my favorite "new" Regency Era story. It's been out for several years but just in case you haven't heard of it, I thought I'd post it again today. You can read more about the author, Linore Burkard, at www.linoreburkard.com.



About the book

In her debut novel of what she calls "spirited romance for the Jane Austen soul," author Linore Rose Burkard tells the intriguing story of Miss Ariana Forsythe, a young woman caught between her love for a man who doesn't share her faith and her resolution to marry only a fellow believer in Christ.

Trouble at home sends the young woman to her aunt's townhome in the fashionable Mayfair district of London. There she finds worse troubles than those that prompted her flight from home. Ariana is soon neck--deep in high society and at odds with Mr. Phillip Mornay, London's current darling rogue. Then a scandal changes Ariana forever. Her heart, her faith, and her future are all at stake in an unexpected adventure that gains even the Prince Regent's attention.

Will Ariana's faith survive this test? And what about her heart? For it's Ariana's heart that most threatens to betray the truths she has always believed in. When she finds herself backed against a wall, betrothed to the wrong young man, how can it ever turn out right?

Jane Austen readers and fans of Regency romances everywhere will love Before the Season Ends.

 

Monday, August 20, 2012

Learn How to Transform Your City

I'm sharing the following information from The B&B Media Group, Inc.

_____________________________________


Movement Day Helps Leaders Transform Cities through the Gospel

Impact and change the lives of youth, the poor and the marginalized 

Leaders Changing Cities through Gospel Movements.

Click here to watch the Movement Day Video.

The Movement Day Congress Thursday, September 27, 2012 at the NYC Hilton will feature remarkable global leaders such as Richard Stearns of World Vision; Luis Palau of the Luis Palau Association; Ajith Fernando, formerly with Youth for Christ; and several others. This event promises to inspire and challenge leaders, churches and ministries to cultivate partnerships and share best practices to resolve some of the biggest issues facing our cities.

Through consultations hosted during the last 15 years by The New York City Leadership Center (NYCLC)—and Concerts of Prayer Greater New York—for more than 10,000 leaders from 50 cities, it has been confirmed that cities all over the U.S. face many of the same spiritual and social issues. These issues include vast populations unreached by the gospel, profound poverty and an emerging youth population that is struggling to surpass the 50 percent high school graduation rate.

Click here to learn about City Movements

To address these critical issues, The NYCLC hosted the inaugural Movement Day event in September 2010, which was a significant success with more than 800 leaders attending from 34 cities and 14 nations. More than 1,000 leaders attended the second annual Movement Day in 2011. And it is anticipated that the 2012 event will exceed the previous one-day events as this effort gains momentum and excitement builds.

Click here to learn about Authentic Communities



Mac Pier, president and visionary leader of The NYCLC and author of Consequential Leadership (InterVarsity Press 2012), said, “A ‘gospel movement’ is considered to be happening when the Christian population is growing faster than the general population in a city and/or region. We believe Movement Day can help make that happen by convening powerful ministry and community leaders to share innovative ideas and best practices and to advance collaborative partnerships across business sectors within multiple cities. The Apostle Paul set the pattern for us, because he most often went to the largest cities of his day to preach and teach. By following his example and delivering the same message of Christ as Paul did, we can transform the spiritual and social culture of U.S. cities and beyond.”

The Movement Day Congress is being hosted and designed by The NYCLC with Redeemer City to City and American Bible Society, along with 20 national and local Christian organizations.

_____________________________________


Movement Day is a leadership development initiative of The New York City Leadership Center founded by Dr. Mac Pier. Their vision is to become a model of Christian leaders impacting the spiritual and social climate of an urban center. Their mission is to exponentially increase the leadership effectiveness of ministry and marketplace leaders. Visit their website at www.NYCLeadership.com.


 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Summer Beauty ~ Rural Thursday

This Canna, along with several others, are blooming brightly in my side yard.


Canna are so easy to grow. A friend gave me 3 tubers several years ago, and since then they have multiplied into numerous plants. These beauties are extremely hardy and drought resistant, about 5ft tall and love direct sun. Bugs don't bother them, either. If I watered them regularly (which I don't) they would multiply even more. Dave's Garden website has lots of information on how to grow them. I let mine live & die off naturally. Each year they come back so pretty & healthy. In my book, they are the perfect plant!

Images are mine. Please don't take them without asking. Not that anyone would want them. I'm just sayin'. 

I'm linked with Rural Thursday.


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Trailer Tuesday ~ Trinity: Military War Dog

For lovers of military suspense comes Ronie Kendig's new series A Breed Apart, beginning with Trinity: Military War Dog.



A year ago in Afghanistan, Green Beret Heath Daniel’s career was destroyed. Along with his faith. Now he and his military war dog, Trinity, train other dogs and their handlers. Though his passion is to be back in action, the medical discharge has forced Heath—and Trinity—to the sidelines. Military intelligence officer Darci Kintz is captured while secretly tracking the Taliban. Only one dog can handle the extreme conditions to save her. Trinity. Only one man can handle Trinity. Time is running out on the greatest—and most dangerous—mission of their lives.

Now available for purchase at CBD.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Dr. Dobson's Handbook of Family Advice by Dr. James Dobson



It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:

 

 
and the book:

 

Harvest House (August 1, 2012)


***Special thanks to Ginger Chen of Harvest House for sending me a review copy.***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 

James C. Dobson, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and counselor and host of the daily radio program Family Talk with Dr. James Dobson, is author of more than 30 books including the recentNew York Times bestseller Bringing Up Girls. He is founder and chairman emeritus of Focus on the Family. Dr. Dobson is married to Shirley and is the father of two grown children, Danae and Ryan, and the grandfather of Lincoln.
Visit the author's website.


SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:


 

Respected counselor and internationally recognized radio host Dr. James Dobson offers families godly wisdom, encouraging stories, and practical insights. With expertise and compassion, Dr. Dobson provides his sought-after advice on vital topics including: marriage, love, discipline, boundaries for kids of all ages, money, and God’s truths for decision-making.


Paperback: 288 pages

List Price: $14.99

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers; Reprint edition (August 1, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0736943730

ISBN-13: 978-0736943734
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:




Boundaries


 


The Security of Boundaries


 


Children feel more secure, and therefore tend to flourish, when they know where the boundaries are. Let me illustrate that principle.


 


Imagine you’re driving a car over the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado, which is suspended hundreds of feet above the canyon floor. As a first-time traveler, you’re pretty tense as you drive across. It is a scary experience. I knew one little fellow who was so awed by the view over the side of the bridge that he said, “Wow, Daddy! If you fell off of here, it’d kill you constantly!”


 


Now suppose there were no guardrails on the side of the bridge. Where would you steer the car? Right down the middle of the road. Even though you don’t plan to hit those protective railings along the side, you just feel more secure knowing that they’re there.


 


It’s the same way with children. There is security in defined limits. They need to know precisely what the rules are and who’s available to enforce them. When these clear boundaries exist at home, the child lives in utter safety. He never gets in trouble unless he deliberately asks for it. And as long as he stays within those reasonable, well-marked guardrails, there’s mirth and freedom and acceptance.


 


Your children need the security of defined limits, too. They may not admit that they want you to be the boss, but they breathe easier when you are.


 


Mom’s Football Team


 


In the late 1960s, the phrase “If it feels good, do it” made its way around the counterculture. It meant, in effect, that a person’s flighty impulses should be allowed to overrule every other consideration. “Don’t think—just follow your heart” was the prevailing attitude. That foolish advice has ruined many gullible people. Those who ignore lurking dangers are casting themselves adrift in the path of life’s storms. We must be prepared to disregard ephemeral feelings at times and govern our behavior with common sense.


 


Not only can emotions be dangerous—they can also be unreliable and foolish. I’m reminded of a story told by my mother about her high school years. They had one of the worst football teams in the history of Oklahoma. They hadn’t won a game in years. Finally a wealthy oil producer asked to speak to the team in the locker room and offered a brand-new Ford to every boy and to each coach if they would simply defeat their bitter rivals in the next game. The team went crazy. For seven days they thought about nothing but football. They couldn’t even sleep at night. Finally the big night arrived, and the team was frantic with anticipation. They assembled on the sidelines, put their hands together, and shouted, “Rah!” Then they ran onto the field—and were smashed thirty-eight to nothing. No amount of excitement could compensate for the players’ lack of discipline, conditioning, practice, study, coaching, drill, experience, and character. Such is the nature of emotion. It has a definite place in human affairs but is not a substitute for intelligence, preparation, and self-control.


 


Instead of responding to your impulses, therefore, it is often better to hang tough when you feel like quitting, to guard your tongue when you feel like talking, to save your money when you feel like spending, and to remain faithful when you feel like flirting. Unbridled feelings will get you in trouble nine times out of ten.


 


So, before you chase after something that simply feels good, you might want to think it over. You could be about to make one of your greatest blunders.


 


Children and Materialism


 


It’s not easy to say no to children, especially in an affluent and permissive society. Toy companies are spending millions of dollars on advertising aimed at children—not their parents. They know boys and girls are the very best customers. But by giving in to this pressure, parents may actually deprive their children of pleasure. Here’s why.


 


Pleasure occurs when an intense need is met. A glass of water is worth more than gold to a person who’s dying of thirst, but it’s worthless to the person who doesn’t need it. That principle applies directly to children. If you never allow a boy or girl to desire something, he or she will not fully enjoy the pleasure of receiving it. If you give him a tricycle before he can walk, and a bike before he can ride, and a car before he can drive, and a diamond ring before he knows the value of money, you may actually have deprived him of the satisfaction he could have received from that possession.


 


How unfortunate is the child who never has the opportunity to long for something, to dream about that prize by day, and to plot for it by night, perhaps even to get desperate enough to work for it.


 


Excessive materialism is not only harmful to children—but it deprives them of pleasure, too.


 


Children and Television


 


There’s been considerable debate in recent years about television rating systems. That kind of information is desperately needed by parents who want to protect their kids from harmful content, and I’m among those who believe that the present system just doesn’t get the job done.


 


But even if changes are implemented, there’s a new wrinkle to be considered. Social research conducted by Yankelovich Partners, Inc., has analyzed the television-viewing habits of Americans. What they discovered is surprising. Forty-two percent of children between nine and seventeen have their own cable or satellite television hookups in their bedrooms.  1 The image of families gathered around a single TV set in the family room is fading. Instead, many kids are off by themselves where they can choose anything that they want to see.


 


Ann Clurman, a partner at Yankelovich, said, “Almost everything children are seeing is essentially going into their minds in some sort of uncensored or unfiltered way.”  2 Considering the explicit sex, violence, nudity, and profanity available now, especially on cable and satellite television, this is a disturbing revelation.


 


Children need to be protected from adult programming, and yet almost four out of every ten kids have parents who don’t really know what they’re watching. I fear that situation will come back to haunt us for years to come. 


 


 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Tough job must be done ~ Rural Thursday


BTW- Big guy is very old. Very, very old. That's why he looks the way he does. 
My neighbor, on the other hand, is actually 76 and works with the cows daily. 
Quite an inspiration, isn't he?!

Images are mine. Please don't take them without asking. Not that anyone would want them. I'm just sayin'. 

I'm linked with Rural Thursday.


Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Friday, August 3, 2012

PicMonkey photo editing

Before...


After...



What editing program do you use? 
Any tips for this newbie?

Images are mine. Please don't take them without asking. Not that anyone would want them. I'm just sayin'. 


Thursday, August 2, 2012

Nora St Laurent and TBCN's month long PARTY!


There's a party going on, a celebration lasting the entire month of August! Let's find out how you can win books, books, and more books!!!





Hi Nora! Welcome to Stuff & Nonsense II. What inspired you to start TBCN?

The Book Club Network was born out of a desire to share Christian Fiction authors with other book clubs, share book club ideas with other leaders and to encourage the authors who are writing such amazing books. The economy has been really tough for a few years and people are not parting with money like they used to. Through TBCN they can take their time and find the right book or win it. We have give away opportunities each month. ALL of our contests are from the 19th – 21st of the month.

I run two face to face book clubs one at the Christian Book Store I work at and the other at the church I attend. It’s a position I never imagined I’d be in since I didn’t read for pleasure much before I started working in a Christian book store 11 years ago.

But since I love talking with people and the main thing to talk about in a book store is books I started reading Christian Fiction (publishers sent ARC copies to our store and I started checking them out) The first book that rocked my world and got me hooked in Christian Fiction was a book by Linda Nichols called Not a Sparrow Falls her next book did me in and I couldn’t stop talking about it, At the Scent of Water was her next book that prompted me to contact the author and let her know how much her book touched my spirit.

After reading these two books and telling customers about these reads I had a reason to read. These books spoke to me because I wasn’t expecting it. It reminded me of the stories in the bible. Jesus is the greatest story teller and He knew a story could change a life or prick our spirit and move us in a direction we never thought we’d be in.

I tell you all that to say I’m dyslexic and I have not been a fan of reading. Movies were more my thing. I could watch a movie of a book and have a lot more fun. Reading Christian Fiction changed my life in more ways than one. I wanted to tell everyone about the greatest book I read, and I’d do that at the book store. It was possible to talk about the new book I read and loved for about a month or more but when At the Scent of Water and Not a Sparrow Falls were not on the shelf anymore, I had to find some other books to talk about at work. I’m not a very fast reader so; discovering the next new book was a challenge. Would I get the book read before it disappeared from the shelf? How long do books live on a book shelf? The shelf life of a book was a mystery to me and still is.

I was whining to my husband Fred about my problem. How can I get the word out about great books for a very long period of time??? Being a man who likes to face challenges head we began to talk about how we could do this and the fact that I can’t read books fast enough to keep up with it’s shelf life at the store.

I also told him as a book club leader I wanted to promote great books and share them with other groups. Not everyone has the advantage of working at a book store and see what new books hit the shelves each week. Another struggle I had was if I had an author speaking at my book club I wanted to share them with other book clubs in the area. How could I do that? Where are book clubs meeting?

Our answer to many of these questions and more was the birth of The Book Club Network - TBCN. Connecting authors to book clubs and readers to their books; it’s also a network of book clubs as they post what they’ve read and how the meeting turned out.

It’s a place to find where a book club is located. We have a member map where you can find a book club near you. Message them and see if they are accepting new members. I envision it to be similar to be similar to the Weight Watchers program (don’t laugh Grin) you can go to a meeting anywhere in the country right? All you have to do is look on line and get connected. This is my hope for the future of TBCN.


I love TBCN and am so glad I found y'all on the internet 2 years ago! 

Have there been any surprises for you @TBCN? What benefits have you seen by bringing readers and authors together?

I’ve been encouraged and fascinated by our growth. I can see there were other people out there like me wanting to connect with other book club members.

I’ll tell you what has surprised me is the author/reader interaction each month. This is something I didn’t foresee as I’ve watch the authors are having a blast interacting with the readers and visa/versa. The beauty of this discussion is it’s there forever for all to read no matter when you join TBCN.

The authors have done a great job coming up with questions for reader to answer that give them a peek into their book – create interest and then the discussion helps book club leaders connect with the author. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the amount of authors that want to be featured @The Book Club Network. It’s been a great thing.

The interaction with the authors is almost like having a book club meeting on line. It’s a huge benefit for both the authors who’ve wanted to ask clubs questions and readers who want to get to know authors. The authors are catching on. Our sponsors have loved the interaction as well. Members have told me that they love the author interaction from the 19th-21st as much as having a chance to win all these books. It’s hard to know if a book will be a fit for your group so these interaction times are helpful for that and so much more. Another thing I love about TBCN members is the fact they are not afraid to share what they think in a good way. I’ve learned so much and laughed out loud in some discussion where the questions lead to sharing funny moments.

My hope is that book club leaders and/or members participate in the discussions and make that book connection with the author and their book. I want TBCN to be a tool for them in picking out their books. Maybe invite the author to speak to their book club on the phone. It’s my hope. The discussion will be there forever. No worries about a books shelf live here @TBCN. So, everyone has time to get to know each other!! It’s a beautiful thing!

I know I have discovered lots of new authors and read a great many books that I would not have otherwise known about.

How can readers join in the anniversary celebrations?

It’s easy to sign up to be a member of TBCN. We ask a few questions for you to answer and for other information that helps us keep spammers and other information seekers out of the network. It’s also FREE. You have opportunities to win lots of books. For our BIRTHDAY BASH we are giving away 10 books a day and announcing winners once a week. You’ll have all week to enter the daily featured contests. 

Ok, y'all! Did you hear that?! 10 books a day, EVERYDAY in August, so hop on over to TBCN and join up so you can have an opportunity to win some books. 

Do you have any other comments for my readers?

If you are an avid reader, this is the place for you to learn about the latest in Christian Fiction and interact with the author each month.

Are you a book club leader? Well this is the place for you to find your next book club pick. We’d also love for you to set up your Book club page at our site for others to see. It’s a place to share your latest featured book. Post pictures of your club and the field trips you’ve taken. The authors you’ve met and the book fun you’ve had. Learn from other book clubs that have already set up their pages.

Want to start a book club but felt it was too overwhelming? You can learn from other experienced book club leaders, and you can start right away making your book club list!

Do you like to win books? This is the place for you. You’ll have a chance to get to know the authors and their books and read genre’s you normally wouldn’t. We’ve been giving away about 100 books a month and for our birthday bash it’s going to be 10 books every day; starting August first. Winners are picked weekly and announced each weekly.

THANK YOU! You’ve been a grand host to have me here and let me talk about The Book Club Network and our Birthday Bash!! I hope to see you there @TBCN www.bookfun.org

You are a Blessing!!

Nora :o)

The Book Club Network CEO