In honor of "IRS" day I thought I'd seek out Maxine and see what she has to say...
Maxine cartoons are from Hallmark.
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| courtesy microsoft clipart |
Have a great day in the Lord!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Friday Funny #4
I'm participating in “Tag You’re It! Just for Fun! on Lynn Dove’s Journey Thoughts.”
In honor of "IRS" day I thought I'd seek out Maxine and see what she has to say...
In honor of "IRS" day I thought I'd seek out Maxine and see what she has to say...
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Book Review ~ A Cowboy's Touch
Denise Hunter lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!
A Big Sky Romance: A Cowboy's Touch
Trade Paper
Abigail is just in Moose Creek, Montana for the summer to temporarily care for her great aunt. But a tender-hearted cowboy beckons her to stay.
Abigail Jones intends to spend just one summer in middle-of-nowhere Montana with her Aunt Lucy. Time away from her job is just what Abigail needs to reassess her life. The slow pace has her breathing deeply for the first time in years. And the majestic scenery encourages her to get reacquainted with herself . . . and God.
What she didn't count on was the handsome widowed cowboy who owns the ranch where her aunt lives. When the rancher loses his daughter's nanny, Abigail decides to lend a hand for the summer.
Wade Ryan can't help being attracted to Abigail. But he's given up everything to protect his daughter, and he's not about to risk it all on a pretty face.
Under Abigail's care, Wade's home and daughter thrive. And with Wade's touch, Abigail's heart feels at home at last. But Abigail knows this elusive rancher is hiding something. Will her own secrets separate her from the cowboy who finally captured her heart?
My Review:
For a first time foray into western romance Denise Hunter has done an outstanding job. There's humor and heartache, with just enough romance to warm the heart. But coming from such a gifted author this is not surprising!
In A Cowboy's Touch we meet Abigail, the quintessential independent young woman, who is an investigative reporter. She needs a "big" breaking news story to save her families newspaper.
Wade, a retired rodeo star who disappeared after a devastating and heartbreaking
experience, lives with misplaced guilt that is so heavy a burden he is afraid to open his heart to anyone but his daughter, Maddy.
There's a host of other minor characters, but my favorite of them all is Aunt Lucy. She's quirky, and has such a peaceful countenance. She reminds me of Aunt Clara from Bewitched. Just precious!
Through each of these characters Denise shows us how the decisions we make can have a positive or negative impact in our lives. We can either draw closer to God or push Him aside. How we deal with these decisions/experiences effects not only our own personal well being, but that of others. We are reminded of John 15:5 ~ I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
By the end of the book, Denise has taken us on a most satisfying journey of spiritual rediscovery.
If you're a Denise Hunter fan, you won't be disappointed! If this is your first time reading one of her books, you will want to read them all!
I received this book galley from Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion.
To read an excerpt or to purchase ~ click here or on the widget below (hopefully) :)
Abigail Jones intends to spend just one summer in middle-of-nowhere Montana with her Aunt Lucy. Time away from her job is just what Abigail needs to reassess her life. The slow pace has her breathing deeply for the first time in years. And the majestic scenery encourages her to get reacquainted with herself . . . and God.
What she didn't count on was the handsome widowed cowboy who owns the ranch where her aunt lives. When the rancher loses his daughter's nanny, Abigail decides to lend a hand for the summer.
Wade Ryan can't help being attracted to Abigail. But he's given up everything to protect his daughter, and he's not about to risk it all on a pretty face.
Under Abigail's care, Wade's home and daughter thrive. And with Wade's touch, Abigail's heart feels at home at last. But Abigail knows this elusive rancher is hiding something. Will her own secrets separate her from the cowboy who finally captured her heart?
My Review:
For a first time foray into western romance Denise Hunter has done an outstanding job. There's humor and heartache, with just enough romance to warm the heart. But coming from such a gifted author this is not surprising!
In A Cowboy's Touch we meet Abigail, the quintessential independent young woman, who is an investigative reporter. She needs a "big" breaking news story to save her families newspaper.
Wade, a retired rodeo star who disappeared after a devastating and heartbreaking
experience, lives with misplaced guilt that is so heavy a burden he is afraid to open his heart to anyone but his daughter, Maddy.
There's a host of other minor characters, but my favorite of them all is Aunt Lucy. She's quirky, and has such a peaceful countenance. She reminds me of Aunt Clara from Bewitched. Just precious!
Through each of these characters Denise shows us how the decisions we make can have a positive or negative impact in our lives. We can either draw closer to God or push Him aside. How we deal with these decisions/experiences effects not only our own personal well being, but that of others. We are reminded of John 15:5 ~ I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
By the end of the book, Denise has taken us on a most satisfying journey of spiritual rediscovery.
If you're a Denise Hunter fan, you won't be disappointed! If this is your first time reading one of her books, you will want to read them all!
I received this book galley from Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion.
To read an excerpt or to purchase ~ click here or on the widget below (hopefully) :)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Southern Comfort
Gotcha on the title, huh?
I'm a southern girl and I like my comfort, so my husband and I went in search of new bed linens. Since most of our almost 30 yrs of marriage we could never afford REALLY nice linens (what we think is really nice, anyway, which means they don't pill after washing, and if you don't know what pilling after washing is then you have never been short on cash) we decided to splurge (now that half our brood has flown the nest) and purchase some quality linens.
Off we went to the mall...the mall!!! You have to understand that going to the mall is a big deal for us. We live in the boonies and it takes us 35 to 45 minutes to get to a mall, in a really small town, not known for its diversity in shopping. JC Penney was a fail; not the color I wanted. Sears...fail again...same problem. Dillards...well...ok we don't make that much money!
So, there we stood pondering the dilemma. Then we thought about Sam's Club! Yes, we would go there. Low and behold they had JUST what I was looking for, and little did I know that my husband was planning on getting new pillows, too! So here's what we bought :)
I'm a southern girl and I like my comfort, so my husband and I went in search of new bed linens. Since most of our almost 30 yrs of marriage we could never afford REALLY nice linens (what we think is really nice, anyway, which means they don't pill after washing, and if you don't know what pilling after washing is then you have never been short on cash) we decided to splurge (now that half our brood has flown the nest) and purchase some quality linens.
Off we went to the mall...the mall!!! You have to understand that going to the mall is a big deal for us. We live in the boonies and it takes us 35 to 45 minutes to get to a mall, in a really small town, not known for its diversity in shopping. JC Penney was a fail; not the color I wanted. Sears...fail again...same problem. Dillards...well...ok we don't make that much money!
So, there we stood pondering the dilemma. Then we thought about Sam's Club! Yes, we would go there. Low and behold they had JUST what I was looking for, and little did I know that my husband was planning on getting new pillows, too! So here's what we bought :)
These are my new Wamsutta 525 thread count Pima Sateen sheets. I'm in love :)
This is my new pillow (he got one, too). They're Serta Gel-Memory Foam Pillows...Suh-WEET!
Southern comfort every night ;)
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Book Review ~ The Art of Romance
Humor, Hope, and Happily Ever Afters! Kaye Dacus is the author of humorous, hope-filled contemporary and historical romances with Barbour Publishing and Harvest House Publishers. She holds a Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, is a former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, and currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers. She loves action movies and British costume dramas; and when she’s not writing, she enjoys knitting scarves and “lap blankets” (she’s a master of the straight-line knit and purl stitches!). Kaye lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and even though she writes romance novels, she is not afraid to admit that she’s never been kissed. For more information you can visit Kaye at http://www.http//kayedacus.com/ .
My Review
Kaye Dacus' The Art of Romance is....well...romantic!
She has written such a sweet novel with well developed characters.
You have to love the grandmother's. They are meddling and competitve but so adorable!
Caylor is a strong and strikingly generous female lead. I love how she interacts with her grandmother and has such a great sense of family. Her faith seems such a natural extension of who she is, it is never in-your-face, but prominent all the same. Dylan is rich in depth and sincerity. He's made a serious error in judgment and his brothers have such an unconditional love for him. He could easily have dismissed his brothers advice and suggestions but he showed great strength by being willing to admit his errors and seek counseling.The imagery used in this book is phenomenal. Kaye paints such realistic pictures with her words that I had no trouble visualizing anything in this book.
As for the ending...well my heart melted!
This is Book Two in The Matchmaker Series. I highly recommend this book to all readers of contemporary fiction. The Art of Romance releases on May 2, 2011 so I don't want to give away the plot but suffice it to say...Get this book!
You can pre-order at Amazon, Christian Book Distributors (CBD), and for a sneak peek inside go to Barbour Publishing
5 stars for absolutely wonderful!
I received this advanced reader copy book galley from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Hissing & Growling
At 3:30 am this morning we were awakened by hissing & growling. Since our window was open it was sounding REAL close. My husband gets up to look out the window, whispers "Get the flashlight quick but quietly!" So, I jump up and grab it off the dresser, tiptoe to the window and hand it to him. He shines it toward the hissing & growling, and what do we see?!?
THIS!!!!
(or one like it since I got this image off Google Images)
It was HUGE!!! And it stopped moving as soon as the light hit it, and so did we! All 3 of us FROZE!
Then the bugger started moving toward the house so we cut off the light and waited for the inevitable stink to come....Nope, he just sauntered right on by while we stood frozen to the spot.
Whew!!! that was a close one.
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