The Random Thoughts of Carrie

Intentional Giving - #1

2012-02-17T13:51:00.000-05:00

One of my goals for this year is to be more intentional with my giving. I want to be able to share what I have with people and organizations I feel passionately about and believe in what they are doing. I will be giving to organizations who use their money wisely and don't contribute the funds into other organizations in which I do not support. In an effort to be accountable for this, I plan on blogging about 24 of these opportunities. I want to share opportunities that may encourage you to give or make you think outside the box on options for helping out your neighbors near and far. I realize that in the grand scheme of life in the United States and even more so in the grand scheme of life on planet Earth I am blessed. I have the privilege of working in an industry that provides me with a paycheck that I feel should be shared. My life goals are not to be a millionaire, but to be able to provide for myself and give above and beyond what the standard is. So without further gibberish, here's the first of my 24 opportunities.

I love kids! I don't have any of my own nor am I in a position in my life where I want or need a kid. However, my friends are having them left and right and I LOVE IT! But I also have friends who are adding to their families through adoption. And let me tell you, knowing someone who is adopting will change your life. The first intentional donation I am making for this year is to the Bring Will Home fund. I met Peter and Tanya through my church and their passion for orphans and adoptions is almost contagious. Spend any time around them and you will be changed: you may not want to adopt but you'll want to help someone adopt. So I would challenge you to this: find someone you know who is adopting and help them out. Whether it is through contributing items to a yard sale fundraiser they are having or just skipping that $5 latte and giving that money to them, you will be blessed, they will be blessed, and a family-less child will be blessed. And if you don't know anyone who is adopting, but you want to help someone out in this way check out Peter and Tanya's journey here. I'm sure once they are done fundraising they'll also know more families who are working their way toward adoption and every penny counts.

A Tale of Two Country Mice

2011-12-21T08:36:00.001-05:00

This morning I got up at 6:15 and knowing I had a lot to do, decided to get started on my day. I made my coffee and a bowl of oatmeal and sat down at the dining room table to get some work done. I was hitting send on an email when I saw a mouse dart next to me along the baseboards and go into a corner behind some bags. I thought "Great, there are mice in the house (again*.)" So I go into the kitchen to see if I can see the mouse in the corner or if there's a hole in the baseboards that it went into. The reason I do this is because I have some poison I could stick in the hole then some stuff to seal the hole.

Now that I am relocated to the kitchen looking into the dining room, I see nothing. Of course. And that's when #2 darts out from under the stove and heads toward the refrigerator. Right. Next. To. My. Foot. I screamed. And ran to the living room and called my dad. He's the only person I knew who would be awake around 7 in the morning so it seemed logical. And he laughed at me. I knew he would, but I still needed to talk to someone for I feared I was nearing heart-attack status. I mean a mouse just ran Right. Next. To. My. Foot. And I was wearing houseshoes. Like those are going to protect my toes.

So while I'm standing in the big living room talking to my dad mouse #2 runs AT ME. I am not even kidding. So I screamed. And I said "It's running around, it's running around." My dad (ever the intelligent one) says "Are you talking to me?" "YES! Who the heck else would I be talking to?" Um, for those of you who are confused, I don't make it a habit of talking to mice who are running at me. So the mice turns and runs into the computer desk (which was slightly funny) and then runs onto the hearth where I quit following it.

At this point, I wrap up the conversation with my dad and go take a shower. Because if there's one thing I know, if have a heart attack and die due to these mice, I don't want to smell when Britt** gets here for the body.

* For those of you who don't know me in real life, we had a mouse infestation in the garage and house at my grandparents this fall and dealt with it for the better part of a week trying to get cracks and holes sealed and replacing seals along doors. We thought it was under control. It is not.

** The people who own the funeral home are friends of the family so yes, we are on a first name basis with them.

P.S. It's over an hour later and my blood pressure is still elevated. I know this because I normally have low to normal blood pressure and at this moment I can FEEL it pumping through my veins. I've earned a second dose of caffeine today because I know once I calm down I'm going to be exhausted.

Lots of Love

2011-12-05T19:03:00.001-05:00

A couple of years ago my niece grew her hair out and donated it to "Lots" of Love. That was how she understood us saying Locks of Love. Those who know me IRL also know that I have been growing my hair out. What started of as more of something that was a burden (finding someone who can cut my hair the way I like it is hard, especially with the natural wave it enjoys) turned into me also growing my hair out. My philosphy on this was "Why not?" I mean let's think about this. I'm in my early 30s, I am physically well, and I can grow my hair out. Some child out there is young, not physically well, and has no hair. Why wouldn't I became the bigger question. So I grew it. And grew it. And grew it some more. My hair is really think, yet appears thin. So it was a lot of hair on my head. And I am not a girly girl, so out came the hot rollers if I needed it to have any body or style. And for the first time in my life I had long hair. Wowsers, what a difference long hair is. Flashback a couple of weeks ago and I decided to go in for a trim. Just for kicks and giggles I had the lady measure my hair. When she said it was long enough to donate and I wouldn't be bald as a result, I finally decided it was ok. And this is what I'll be sending in to "Lots" of Love to help someone who otherwise would not have hair.

Note: If I pull out the curl, it measures over 12 inches. Wowsers!

Also, there is no after picture. If you know me IRL you know I don't do well with having my picture made. So you'll just have to wait until I'm felling "worldly pretty" and then I'll see what I can do.

Dangerous Mercy - A Book Review

2011-09-30T22:58:00.001-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Dangerous Mercy David C. Cook (October 1, 2011) by Kathy Herman

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Suspense novelist Kathy Herman is very much at home in the Christian book industry, having worked five years on staff at the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and eleven years at Better Books Christian Center in Tyler, Texas, as product buyer/manager for the children’s department, and eventually as director of human resources.

She has conducted numerous educational seminars on children’s books at CBA Conventions in the U.S. and Canada, served a preliminary judge for the Gold Medallion Book Awards of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association , and worked as an independent product/marketing consultant to the CBA market.

Since her first novel, Tested by Fire, debuted in 2001 as a CBA national bestseller, she's added sixteen more titles to her credit, including four bestsellers: All Things Hidden, The Real Enemy, The Last Word, and The Right Call.

Kathy's husband Paul is her manager and most ardent supporter, and the former manager of the LifeWay Christian Store in Tyler, Texas. They have three grown children, five almost-perfect grandchildren, a cat named Samantha. They enjoy cruising, deep sea fishing, and birdwatching—sometimes incorporating these hobbies into one big adventure.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. —Matthew 5:7

When eighty-five-year-old Adele Woodmore moves to Les Barbes to be near the Broussards—and her namesake, their daughter—she wants nothing more than a comfortable, quiet life. Employing men from Father Vince’s halfway house for the homeless to do odd jobs and landscaping, she delights in the casual conversation she has with them, the fledgling friendships, and the idea that she is helping them get back on their feet.

A series of murders in Les Barbes has cast a pall over the town and, in fact, one of Adele’s handymen becomes a person of interest to the police. But Adele cares for these young men, she knows them, and continues to show them kindness in spite of her friends’ concern. And then one day a murderer walks through Adele’s defenses, sits down at her kitchen table...and they begin to talk...

If you would like to read the first chapter of Dangerous Mercy, go HERE.

Naomi's Gift - A Book Review

2011-09-23T16:04:00.001-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Naomi's Gift Zondervan (September 12, 2011) by Amy Clipston

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From Amy:
A native of New Jersey, I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I often joke that my fiction writing “career” began in elementary school as I wrote and shared silly stories with a close friend.

In 1991, I graduated from high school, and my parents and I moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia. My father retired, and my mother went to work full-time. I attended Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, and I graduated with a degree in communications. I met my husband, Joe, during my senior year in college, a few days after my father had a massive stroke. Joe and I clicked instantly, and after a couple of months we started dating. We married four years later.

After graduating from VWC, I took a summer job with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, which turned into an eleven-year career. I worked in the Public Affairs Office for four years and then moved into Planning as a writer/editor.

One day while surfing the Internet for a professional editor’s group, I accidentally found a local fiction writing group, Chesapeake Romance Writers. I attended a meeting and I met writers in all stages of their careers. The group helped me realize that I did want to be an author, and it was my dream to see my name on the cover of one of my novels. Through Chesapeake Romance Writers, I learned how to plot, write, and edit a novel, and I also learned how to pursue an agent. I signed with Mary Sue Seymour at the Seymour Agency in 2006, shortly before Joe and I moved my parents and our sons to North Carolina.

My dream came true when I sold my first book in 2007. Holding my first book, A Gift of Grace, in my hands was exhilarating and surreal.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you'll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County. As each woman's story unfolds, you will share in her heartaches, trials, joys, dreams ... and secrets. You'll discover how the simplicity of the Amish lifestyle can clash with the 'English' way of life---and the decisions and consequences that follow. Most importantly, you will be encouraged by the hope and faith of these women, and the importance they place on their families. Naomi's Gift re-introduces twenty-four-year-old Naomi King, who has been burned twice by love and has all but given up on marriage and children. As Christmas approaches---a time of family, faith, and hope for many others---Naomi is more certain than ever her life will be spent as an old maid, helping with the family's quilting business and taking care of her eight siblings. Then she meets Caleb, a young widower with a 7-year-old daughter, and her world is once again turned upside-down. Naomi's story of romantic trial and error and youthful insecurities has universal appeal. Author Amy Clipston artfully paints a panorama of simple lives full of complex relationships, and she carefully explores cultural differences and human similarities, with inspirational results. Naomi's Gift includes all the details of Amish life that Clipston's fans enjoy, while delivering the compelling stories and strong characters that continue to draw legions of new readers.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Naomi's Gift, go HERE.

Why the Internet Drives Me Crazy

2011-09-21T21:51:00.000-04:00

Note: This is a rant. This is my blog so I have the right to rant. You have been warned.

You want to know one of my biggest peeves about this thing we call the World Wide Web? I thought so. It's when I click on a webpage and have then click on subsequent webpages to read the whole article or list. NEWSFLASH: That's why God allowed the invention of the bullet list. Let's take a note of how beautiful this works. Imagine the article title is "The First Five Books of the Bible." You click over on the webpage and expect to see the following:

Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy

Isn't that nice? A list of the books of the Bible in one place. But no, that's not how the WWW works. You have to click into the article for them to further describe what you'll be seeing. It's a list of the first five books of the Bible in case you were confused and the title didn't accurately describe what was in the article. Then you click and are taken to 1. Genesis. Then you click next and it takes you to 2. Exodus. Enough already! Just put the list on one page. It's the internet. It's not like it's print and you need to save space. Or if you're designing your webpages that way because of all the mobile devises accessing your side, give me the option to click one button to read it all in one place. Some news sites do this, but rarely if ever the lists. Drives. Me. Nuts.

Rant over. I feel somewhat better now.

Here's to Friends - A Book Review

2011-09-19T09:06:00.002-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Here’s to Friends David C. Cook (September 1, 2011) by Melody Carlson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards. And her "Diary of a Teenage Girl" series has received great reviews and a large box of fan mail.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Once upon a time in a little town on the Oregon coast lived four Lindas—all in the same first-grade classroom. So they decided to go by their middle names. And form a club. And be friends forever.

Decades later, they're all back home in Clifden and reinventing their lives, but the holidays bring a whole new set of challenges. Abby’s new B&B is getting bad reviews and husband Paul is acting strange. Still grieving for her mom, Caroline is remodeling the family home, but boyfriend Mitch keeps pressuring her to go away with him. Artist Marley, distracted by a friend's family drama (and a touch of jealousy), can't find her creative groove. And Janie’s drug-addicted daughter has just appeared up on her doorstep! When a long-planned New Year's cruise turns into a bumpy ride, they learn once again that, in your fifties, friends aren’t just for fun—they're a necessity!

If you would like to read the first chapter of Here’s to Friends, go HERE.

The Doctor's Lady - A Book Review

2011-09-14T08:29:00.002-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Doctor's Lady Bethany House (September 1, 2011) by Jody Hedlund

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jody has written novels for the last 18 years (with a hiatus when her children were young). After many years of writing and honing her skills, she finally garnered national attention with her double final in the Genesis Contest, a fiction-writing contest for unpublished writers through ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).

Her first published book, The Preacher’s Bride (2010 Bethany House Publishers), hit the CBA Best Seller list on two different occasions and has won multiple awards.

Her second book, The Doctor’s Lady, released this September. She has completed a third book which will be released in 2012. She’s currently busy researching and writing another book!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Priscilla White knows she'll never be a wife or mother and feels God's call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field.

Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs. Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God's leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Doctor's Lady, go HERE.

A Whisper of Peace -- Book Review

2011-09-07T07:25:00.001-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Whisper of Peace Bethany House (September 1, 2011) by Kim Vogel Sawyer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of fifteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and numerous grandchildren.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ostracized by her tribe because of her white father, Lizzie Dawson lives alone in the mountains of Alaska, practicing the ways of her people even as she resides in the small cabin her father built for her mother. She dreams of reconciling with her grandparents to fulfill her mother's dying request, but she has not yet found a way to bridge the gap that separate her from her tribe.

Clay Selby has always wanted to be like his father, a missionary who holds a great love for the native people and has brought many to God. Clay and his stepsister, Vivian, arrive in Alaska to set up a church and school among the Athbascan people. Clay is totally focused on this goal...until he meets a young, independent Indian woman with the most striking blue eyes he's ever seen.

But Lizzie is clearly not part of the tribe, and befriending her might have dire consequences for his mission. Will Clay be forced to choose between his desire to minister to the natives and the quiet nudging of his heart?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Whisper of Peace, go HERE.

Grandparents are a Funny Relationship

2011-09-04T09:36:00.000-04:00

I always find it interesting when I speak to others about grandparents. Some people never knew theirs; some people saw theirs for major holidays and maybe a week or two in the Summer; and some people grew up with them in their backyards, almost (if not more) a part of their life as their parents are. Thankfully I fall into the last group.

When I was born I had three grandparents who were still alive: my paternal grandfather and my maternal grandfather and grandmother. I said goodbye to my Grandaddy T in 1997 right before I graduated from high school. Oh man, was he a character. I always wish he could have lived forever only because he would have loved the Doodlebug so much. If we thought she was rotten now, he would have ensured she was past the point of rottenness into unbearableness. Last Summer I said goodbye to my Granny. My cousins called their grandmother MomMom because they said she was like a 2nd mom to them. That would have been my granny. She took care of us when we were sick, she took us shopping and to doctor's appointments when my mom couldn't. She fed us and loved us and made sure we knew she'd always be there for us.

Last Thursday, I said goodbye to the last of the three. My Papaw Neill finished his voyage on this Earth and has been made whole again. It was a sort of second goodbye though. You see, my maternal grandparents both had Alzheimer's Disease. And if there is anything that I have reflected on in the past week it has been how this horrible disease makes us mourn the loss of a person twice. First we go through the long process of mourning the loss of their mind, and the person we always knew them to be. You see, my Papaw had not called me by my name in months. I remember being here in the Spring and my mom asking him if he knew who I was. He said "yes" but never said my name. It was like you could see him looking at us knowing he knew but not being able to connect it all. And then after you have lost the person they were, time eventually takes their living body. Goodbyes are said again. Such a cruel disease. Such a wonderful man.

As I drove home on Wednesday I was thinking back on the 32 years I spent being the granddaughter of Neill C. Until I was two he was a dairy farmer and upon retirement began raising beef cattle. Guess what? I am not much a fan of chicken. Why would I be? I grew up eating hamburger meat. The good kind. When we were little he would lay us across his lap and "remove our meanness." After supper was the time to watch Wheel of Fortune (he usually won), Jeopardy, and if it was a weekend Hee Haw. He and my granny played cards on a regular basis with their friends. We weren't allowed in the room due to the "adult language" used. My papaw had two twin beds in his room... the second was where we slept. He was an early riser due to years and years of waking up to farm, but he never complained. I always remember watching Troy-Bilt commercials and thinking "that looks like my Papaw's garden." (I didn't know at the time my granny had as much a part of it if not more than my Papaw.) As I got older he was still there. Who needs a babysitter when there's a Papaw to watch the kids. And who else would go visit their friends in Middle Tennessee and meet their oldest granddaughter at a gas station in her small college town just to say "hi?" My granny and papaw of course.

It's all these memories and so much more that I cherish and know that my Papaw had a great life here on Earth. He was loved by his family, friends, and community. And I know that when he got to Heaven he was greeted with a "Well done, good and faithful servant."

The Survivor - A Book Review

2011-09-02T17:44:00.000-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Survivor Avon Inspire; Original edition (August 30, 2011)

by Shelley Shepard Gray

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shelley Shepard Gray is the beloved author of the Sisters of the Heart series, including Hidden, Wanted, and Forgiven. Before writing, she was a teacher in both Texas and Colorado. She now writes full time and lives in southern Ohio with her husband and two children. When not writing, Shelley volunteers at church, reads, and enjoys walking her miniature dachshund on her town's scenic bike trail.

Check out Shelley's Facebook Fan page

ABOUT THE BOOK

One of today’s most beloved authors of inspirational Christian fiction, Shelley Shepard Gray completes her acclaimed Families of Honor series with The Survivor—a poignant and beautiful story of love and faith in a small Amish community. Delving once more into the lives of these devout and fascinating folk, as she did in her popular Sisters of the Heart and Seasons of Sugarcreek novels, Gray tells the story of a young Amish woman who has survived the ravages of cancer, but now longs for the love of the one man who can heal her lonely heart. Like Beverly Lewis, Wanda Brunstetter, and Cindy Woodsmall, Shelley Shepard Gray introduces readers to characters they will never forget as she masterfully depicts a world of simple living, abiding faith, and honest emotions.

If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of The Survivor, go HERE.

Thunder in the Morning Calm - A New Favorite Author!!!!

2011-08-31T23:22:00.000-04:00

If you know me in real life you know there are certain authors who could write the classifieds and I would buy it. Dee Henderson, Terri Blackstock, Nicholas Sparks. I have a feeling Don Brown is going to be joining this list. I could not put this book down. I wanted to know what the next page held, what the next chapter would reveal.

The book is centralized around Lieutenant Commander 'Gunner' McCormick, an intelligence officer who changes careers as often as some of us change hairstyles. In a top secret trip to Washington, D.C., he learns through classified materials that there may still be American POWs alive in North Korea. Knowing his grandfather was captured and his body never recovered leads Gunner to put together a team or rogue, retired military people and venture into the unknown to see if the possibility of finding a missing piece of his heritage is possible.

Told from the perspective of 'Gunner', his mother, the aging, American POWs, and the North Koreans who hold them captive, seeing the story come together and wondering which piece will be uncovered next kept me entertained form start to finish. I highly recommend you pick up this book and join the journey.

If you'd like to buy this book (which you should) the link is:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310330149

Ransome's Quest - A Book Review

2011-08-26T00:48:00.000-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Ransome’s Quest Harvest House Publishers (August 1, 2011) by Kaye Dacus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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.

Kaye Dacus (KAY DAY-cuss) is an author and editor who has been writing fiction for more than twenty years. A former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, Kaye enjoys being an active ACFW member and the fellowship and community of hundreds of other writers from across the country and around the world that she finds there. She currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, which she co-founded in 2003 with three other writers. Each month, she teaches a two-hour workshop on an aspect of the craft of writing at the MTCW monthly meeting. But her greatest joy comes from mentoring new writers through her blog and seeing them experience those “aha” moments when a tricky concept becomes clear.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The pirate El Salvador has haunted the waters of the Caribbean for almost ten years. When he snatched Charlotte Ransome, it was a case of mistaken identity. Now Charlotte's brother, whose reputation in battle is the stuff of legend, is searching for him with a dogged determination. But another rumor has reached El Salvador's ears: Julia Ransome has been kidnapped by the man feared by all other pirates--the pirate known only as Shaw. The violent and blood-thirsty savage from whom El Salvador was trying to protect her.

When word reaches William of Julia's disappearance, his heart is torn--he cannot abandon the search for his sister, yet he must also rescue Julia. Ned Cochrane offers a solution: Ned will continue the search for Charlotte while William goes after Julia. William's quest will lead him to a greater understanding of faith and love as he must accept help from sworn enemy and have faith that Julia's life is in God's hands.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Ransome’s Quest, go HERE.

Dancing on Glass - A Book Review

2011-08-17T17:25:00.000-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Dancing on Glass B&H Books (August 1, 2011) by Pamela Ewen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Until recently retiring to write full time, Pamela Binnings Ewen was a partner in the Houston office of the international law firm of BakerBotts, L.L.P., specializing in corporate finance. She now lives just outside New Orleans, Louisiana, with her husband, James Lott.

She has served on the Board of Directors of Inprint, Inc., a non-profit organization supporting the literary arts in Houston, Texas, as well as the Advisory Board for The New Orleans Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Tennessee Williams Festival in New Orleans; Pamela is a co-founder of the Northshore Literary Society in the Greater New Orleans area. She is also a member of the National League of American Pen Women.

Pamela’s first novel, Walk Back The Cat (Broadman & Holman. May, 2006) is the story of an embittered and powerful clergyman who learns an ancient secret, confronting him with truth and a choice that may destroy him.

She is also the best-selling author of the acclaimed non-fiction book Faith On Trial, published by Broadman & Holman in 1999, currently in its third printing.

Although it was written for non-lawyers, Faith On Trial was also chosen as a text for a course on law and religion at Yale Law School in the Spring of 2000, along with The Case For Christ by Lee Stroble. Continuing the apologetics begun in Faith On Trial, Pamela also appears with Gary Habermas, Josh McDowell, Darrell Bock, Lee Stroble, and others in the film Jesus: Fact or Fiction, a Campus Crusade for Christ production.

Pamela is the latest writer to emerge from a Louisiana family recognized for its statistically improbable number of successful authors. A cousin, James Lee Burke, who won the Edgar Award, wrote about the common ancestral grandfathers in his Civil War novel White Dove At Morning.

Among other writers in the family are Andre Dubus (Best Picture Oscar nomination for The Bedroom; his son, Andre Dubus III, author of The House of Sand and Fog, a Best Picture Oscar nomination and an Oprah pick; Elizabeth Nell Dubus (the Cajun trilogy); and Alafair Burke, just starting out with the well received Samantha Kincaid mystery series.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the steamy city of New Orleans in 1974, Amalise Catoir sees Phillip Sharp as a charming, magnetic artist, unlike any man she has known. A young lawyer herself, raised in a small town and on the brink of a career with a large firm, she is strong and successful, yet sometimes too trusting and whimsical. Ama's rash decision to marry Phillip proves to be a mistake as he becomes overly possessive, drawing his wife away from family, friends, and her faith. His insidious, dangerous behavior becomes her dark, inescapable secret.

In this lawyer's unraveling world, can grace survive Ama's fatal choice? What would you do when prayers seem to go unanswered, faith has slipped away, evil stalks, and you feel yourself forever dancing on shattered glass?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Dancing on Glass, go HERE.

A Most Unsuitable Match - A Book Review

2011-08-14T11:01:00.000-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Most Unsuitable Match Bethany House; Original edition (August 1, 2011) by Stephanie Grace Whitson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A native of southern Illinois, Stephanie Grace Whitson has lived in Nebraska since 1975. She began what she calls "playing with imaginary friends" (writing fiction) when, as a result of teaching her four homeschooled children Nebraska history, she was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie's fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year.

Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends. Her passionate interests in pioneer women's history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities.

ABOUT THE BOOK

An unlikely attraction occurs between two passengers on a steamboat journey up the Missouri River to Montana...

She is a self-centered young woman from a privileged family who fears the outdoors and avoids anything rustic. He is a preacher living under a sense of duty and obligation to love the unlovable people in the world. She isn't letting anything deter her from solving a family mystery that surfaced after her mother's death. He is on a mission to reach the rejects of society in the remote wilderness regions of Montana. Miss Fannie Rousseau and Reverend Samuel Beck are opposites in every way... except in how they both keep wondering if their paths will ever cross again.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Most Unsuitable Match, go HERE.

A River to Cross - Book Review

2011-08-05T16:04:00.000-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A River to Cross Bethany House; Original edition (August 1, 2011)

by Yvonne Harris

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Yvonne Harris earned a BS in Education from the University of Hartford and has taught throughout New England and the mid-Atlantic. Unofficially retired from teaching, she teaches writing at Burlington County College in southern New Jersey, where she resides. She is a winner and three-time finalist for the Golden Heart, once for The Vigilante's Bride, which was her debut novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Texas Ranger Jake Nelson patrols the U.S.-Mexico border, protecting the settlers from cattle rustlers, outlaws, and bandits. Sparks fly when Manuel Diego stirs up a revolt against the government, which leads to the murder of a newspaperman, who is the son of a U.S. senator, and the kidnapping of his sister, Elizabeth Madison, a journalist in the making.

With Elizabeth's photograph in hand--a dark-haired beauty with smiling eyes--Jake rides over the border to find her. After the Rangers defeat the marauders and rescue Elizabeth, Jake is surprised to learn she's not the spoiled daughter of a senator that he was expecting. In fact, he finds himself taken by her. And she by him.

But the Mexicans won't give up that easily, as Elizabeth becomes the target of an all-out hunt. Leaving Elizabeth back at Fort Williams, Jake and his men set off again, this time to go after Diego himself--to apprehend him and his renegades and bring them all to justice.

Meanwhile, Jake knows what's begun between him and Elizabeth is undeniable. Amid all the turmoil, Jake finally admits how much he loves her. She tells him the same. Until now, they've lived in different worlds, yet it is those differences that drew them together.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A River to Cross, go HERE.

Out of Control - A Book Review

2011-08-03T08:17:00.000-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Out Of Control Bethany House; Original edition (August 1, 2011) by Mary Connealy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is a Christy Award Finalist, a Carol Award Finalist and an IRCC Award finalist.

The Lassoed in Texas Series, Petticoat Ranch, Calico Canyon and Gingham Mountain. Petticoat Ranch was a Carol Award Finalist. Calico Canyon was a Christy Award Finalist and a Carol Award Finalist. These three books are now contained in one large volume called Lassoed in Texas Trilogy.

The Montana Marriages Series, Montana Rose, The Husband Tree and Wildflower Bride. Montana Rose was a Carol Award Finalist.

Cowboy Christmas—the 2010 Carol Award for Best Long Historical Romance, and an Inspirational Readers Choice Contest Finalist.

The Sophie's Daughters series. Doctor in Petticoats, Wrangler in Petticoats, Sharpshooter in Petticoats.

She is also the author of; Black Hills Blessing a 3-in-1 collection of sweet contemporary romances, Nosy in Nebraska, a 3-in-1 collection of cozy romantic mysteries and she's one of the three authors contributing to Alaska Brides with her Carol Award Winning historical romance Golden Days.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Julia Gilliland has always been interested in the natural world around her. She particularly enjoys her outings to the cavern near her father's homestead, where she explores for fossils and formations, and plans to write a book about her discoveries. The cave seems plenty safe--until the day a mysterious intruder steals the rope she uses to find her way out.

Rafe Kincaid has spent years keeping his family's cattle ranch going, all without help from his two younger brothers, who fled the ranch--and Rafe's controlling ways--as soon as they were able. He's haunted by one terrible day at the cave on a far-flung corner of the Kincaid property, a day that changed his life forever. Ready to put the past behind him, he plans to visit the cave one final time. He sure doesn't expect to find a young woman trapped in one of the tunnels--or to be forced to kiss her!

Rafe is more intrigued by Julia than any woman he's ever known, but how can he overlook her fascination with the cave he despises? And when his developing relationship with Julia threatens his chance at reconciliation with his brothers, will he be forced to choose between the family bonds that could restore his trust and the love that could heal his heart?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Out Of Control, go HERE.

Gift Tags

2011-08-02T11:40:00.000-04:00

This past week I spent some time in the glorious hills of East Tennessee. Due to the fact that it is HHH (hazy, hot, humid) there most of my time was spent indoors. I recently have attended several baby showers and after purchasing gifts/cards/etc. I was trying to figure out how to cut costs a little. I'd rather keep the same gifts but I figured the card was an added expense that could be reduced. So I made the trek across town to Hobby Lobby where much to my delight cardstock was 50% off. I picked up some browns, grays, and purples to go with some green and pick wrapping paper I have. Using my mom's Cricut, this is a sampling of what I was able to create.

The grays and purples were my first attempts. I must admit I'm much happier with the tags I created out of the brown cardstock. And the best part is, on a few of them I was able to incorporate the actual wrapping paper! I always save my wrapping paper scraps for my niece to do craft projects with and decided I would take a few inches for myself. I bought some colors to do Christmas tags last year so I think in November I'll be making a few more tags to go with my Christmas wrapping paper as well.

Salsa - It's What's for Snack (Lunch and Dinner)

2011-08-01T14:04:00.000-04:00

If I had to choose one food group to eat for the rest of my life it would be Mediterranean. I love hummus, baba-ganoush, grape leaf rolls, falafel, etc. Plus I figure the Mediterranean really encompasses Italy so I'll get my pasta and pizza. However, a close second on my list of foods would be Mexican. Now, before anyone goes and tells me the Mexican food I eat is not really Mexican, I know. But it's all I know. And I know this. It is good in my belly. So a few years ago I wanted a good salsa at home. I was over the stuff in a jar, what I really wanted was something finely processed and tasting like the local Mexican dive. So I researched the world wide web and found this recipe: D's Famous Salsa. And I decided I would make it. But that I would be like my Granny and just use the recipe as a suggestion. And thus we now have what I make. And apparently what 82% of my RiverChurch family makes (or so they tell me.) So here goes:

1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can Ro*tel
1/4 - 1/2 onion
3-4 cloves garlic or 1 heaping TBSP of the garlic in a jar
cilantro (I use a lot, I'm a fan)
garlic powder <-- really, can you have too much garlic?

Throw the onion and garlic in your food processor. (Whitney can tell you that the food processor works better than a blender because she did an experiment. Whitney can also tell you the onion is necessary. Do not leave it out, but adjust the amount you use to your tastes or based on the strength of the onion.)
Once the onion is to chopped finely status, add the tomatoes and Ro*tel. (I have learned there are people in American who do not know what Ro*tel is. I am sorry. It is goodness in a can. Check it out.) Pulse a few times to incorporate with the onion and garlic.
Then throw in the cilantro (a heaping TBSP to 1/8 of a cup I would think is good...or more.) Put in a few dashes of garlic powder at this stage as well. Pulse again.

And voila, you have salsa! The best part is you have so much salsa, you can use 16 ounces of it to make this recipe: Crockpot Chicken Tacos. This may be my new favorite recipe as I am in love with the tortilla soup that you make with the finished product. Yummy!

Notes:

There are 15-20 varieties of Ro*tel and stewed tomatoes on the market these days. Part of the fun of this recipe is to use different combinations while trying to find your current favorite.
My friend Lauren uses the cilantro in a tube and it works well too. It's really whatever you feel like purchasing. The fresh stuff is good, but it doesn't keep more than a week so if you know you'll want several batches of this over several weeks (and you will) then the cilantro in a tube is probably the way to go.

Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa - A Book Review

2011-07-29T10:22:00.000-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa Summerside Press (June 1, 2011) by Melanie Dobson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good, and she has now authored nine contemporary and historical novels including Love Finds You in Nazareth, Pennsylvania which releases in November 2011.

Prior to launching Dobson Media Group in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family where she was responsible for the publicity of events, products, films, and TV specials. Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She has worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for fifteen years including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel.

Melanie and her husband, Jon, met in Colorado Springs in 1997 at Vanguard Church. Jon works in the field of computer animation. Since they've been married, the Dobsons have relocated numerous times including stints in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, Berlin, and Southern California. These days they are enjoying their new home in the Pacific Northwest.

Jon and Melanie have adopted their two daughters —Karly (6) and Kinzel (5). When Melanie isn't writing or entertaining their girls, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, traveling, hiking, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

ABOUT THE BOOK

With a backdrop of the community of The Amana Colonies, the Civil War, and a great love story, Melanie Dobson’s new historical fiction title LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA, IOWA both enlightening and entertaining.

The novel is set in the United States during the turmoil of the 1860s. As the rest of the nation is embroiled in the Civil War, the Amana Colonies have remained at peace with a strong faith in God and pursuit of community, intertwined with hard work, family life and the building of their colony.

Amalie Wiese is travelling to the newly built village of Amana in 1863. When she arrives in the colonies she finds that her fiancée, Friedrich has left to fight with the Union Army. Amalie fears for his safety as she also struggles with his decision to abandon the colony’s beliefs. Matthias, Frederick’s friend, stays back in Amana to work in the colonies. But there is something wrong with Matthias; he always seems angry at Amalie when there is no simple explanation for him to act that way.

The goods that colonies manufacture are much needed supplies for the war effort and Matthias decides to deliver the goods to the soldiers. When he leaves, Amalie realizes that her fear for Matthias’s safety is equally as strong. What will become of Friedrich, will Matthias return safely, and will Amalie marry Friedrich? LOVE FINDS YOU IN AMANA, IOWA is a richly told story of life in the Amana Society and the people who live and love there.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa, go HERE.

Canary Island Song - A Book Review

2011-07-27T17:16:00.000-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Canary Island Song Howard Books; Original edition (July 5, 2011) by Robin Jones Gunn
I should begin by telling you that I fell in love with Robin Jones Gunn in high school. She wrote the Sierra Jensen series and then the Christy Miller series. My best friend and I devoured them as soon as a new one was released. Imagine my delight when I opened my book review email to discover she has started writing adult fiction as well. Yippee!!!!
I must confess I am only 3/4 of the way through Canary song because as soon as I lay down to read, it only takes a chapter before my eyes start shutting. However, it is not for lack of content. The book is so good. She delves into the life of a middle-aged woman who returns to her roots in the Canary Islands. Her mother, who returned to the island years before, welcomes Carolyn with open arms. However, once there she receives the welcome surprise that her high school crush, Bryan, has also returned to the island. As they navigate the forgiveness for past mistakes and catch up on their present lives, I can't wait to see how the story turns out.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Robin Jones Gunn was born in Wisconsin and lived on a dairy farm until her family moved to southern California when she was five years old. She grew up in Orange County and spent her summers at Newport Beach with friends from her church youth group. After attending Biola University and Capernwray Bible School in Austria, Robin and Ross were married and spent the next two decades working together in youth ministry.

It was the young teens at Robin’s church who challenged her to write stories for them. She hadn’t thought much about being a writer, but took their request to heart and set her alarm for 3am, three days a week. With two small children it was the only time she could find to write the first story about Christy Miller. After two years and ten rejections the novel Summer Promise was accepted for publication in 1988. Robin hasn’t stopped writing since. Over 4 million copies of her 75 books have sold and can be found in a dozen translations all over the world.

Robin and her husband now live in Hawai’i where Ross is a counselor and Robin continues to write to the sound of tropical birds chattering in the palm trees outside her window. Their children are grown but manage to come to the islands with their families every chance they get. Robin's awards include: three Christy awards for excellence in fiction, a Gold Medallion finalist, Mt. Hermon Pacesetter and the Mt. Hermon Writer of the Year award. Robin travels extensively and is a frequent key-note speaker at various events around the world. She serves on the Board of Directors for Media Associates International and Jerry Jenkin’s Christian Writer’s Guild.

An American Doll for an American Girl

2011-07-17T19:01:00.000-04:00

Meet my friends P, T, and their current three kids at their blog Unrelenting Love for Her. And while you're there enter to win an American Girl doll. This would be your opportunity to support an amazing family in their quest to bring home their American Girl and in the process you could win an American Girl for a sweet girl in your family.

Sadness

2011-07-16T22:10:00.000-04:00

While there are a lot of good things happening in my life right now it is also a season of sadness. I've heard more news of cancer and death lately than my heart can handle. Every time my phone rings at an odd time I am terrified of what news may be on the other line. So here's a bullet list of families I am praying for. Mine included.

My Papaw. 91 years old. Growing up, outside of my daddy, my Papaw and my Granddaddy were the strongest men I knew. My mom's dad (Papaw) lived closer to us so we saw him more regularly. I regularly spent the night there and have such fond memories of sitting in Papaw's lap while he "removed our meanness." He and my Granny grew a garden that rivaled those of the Troy Bilt commercials. He was a retired dairy farmer and continued on with beef cattle long after he retired. The past few months have not been good to him. He's getting weaker and is started to fall more and more. The only drugs that keep him from being agitated keep him asleep. It's hard, watching someone die. It's even harder knowing they wouldn't want to live like this. But I just pray that he can be comfortable. I pray for my mom and her sisters as they watch over him at night and the caregivers who are there during the day.
Baby Aiden -- My aunt and Aiden's grandmother are best friends. I cannot imagine. His story is eerily similar to my next entry. But here's to praying the God of miracles performs one and D & S don't have to experience the pain of losing their only child. Our God is big and no cancer is unnamed in His eyes.
Baby Jamesie -- I was just directed to his blog yesterday through another blog I read. And today he won his complete healing. But now his mom and dad are left with a larger void. I am praying for comfort for them as their worst nightmare has come true.
The family of Lee. Lee was part of our family. Not in the DNA sense but in the sense of what really makes family: commitment and stick-to-it-ness. You see, my Papaw, when he was running his dairy farm needed help. And Lee was just that. He worked right by my Papaw up until the retirement days. In fact I think Lee deciding to retire really pushed my Papaw into it as well. He and his family remained close and he would often come and visit papaw and just talk farming. Lee was diagnosed a few weeks ago with cancer and passed away yesterday. As my mom and I decided last night, for her it was like losing an uncle.

I know that's not it. I know that we will always experience suffering as long as we are on this side of Heaven. But for now my heart is heavy with sadness. It is aching for these families. And while I know there is plenty of good happening in the lives of myself and those close to me, for now it's the sadness that is heavy on my heart. So for now I shall pray some prayers, for that is the most I can do for any of these families.

It's Therapy to Me

2011-07-05T20:44:00.000-04:00

I like doing laundry. I like spending Saturday morning sorting my clothes into piles and then washing them, folding them, and putting them away. For me there is something therapeutic to the orderliness of this task. I know that my t-shirts, yoga pants, and even underwear have a specific way in which they must be folded in order to maximize the space in my dresser. My shirts must be hung up as soon as the dryer stops so they aren't wrinkled. (Ironing is not therapeutic at this time of my life, however when I had to wear pressed clothes even that was nice.) Skirts and dress pants too. Jeans are folded just so and tucked away for their next wear. My towels and washcloths are bleached and dried completely, because in my opinion nothing is worse than a musty smelling towel. There's a way they must be folded as well. And all of this, while extremely OCD to an outsider, makes me feel happy. I like starting off my week knowing that all of my clothes are clean and ready for me to wear. It also gives me a feeling of accomplishment that I don't find in other household chores. Perhaps one of these days vacuuming or cleaning the kitchen will give me a sense of peace as well, but for now it is the laundry.

So if you come to visit, ignore the dust bunnies under the table and the dishes in the sink. However, I'll be more than happy to show you my happy, organized t-shirt drawer. And if you throw your laundry in my basket, it will be washed and folded come the weekend.

She Makes It Look Easy - Book Review

2011-06-23T09:22:00.002-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing She Makes It Look Easy David C. Cook (June 1, 2011) by Marybeth Whalen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marybeth Whalen is the wife of Curt and mom of six children. The family lives outside Charlotte, NC. Marybeth is a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries writing team and a regular contributor to their daily devotions. Her first novel,The Mailbox was released in June 2010. Her next novel, She Makes It Look Easy, will be released in June 2011. Additionally, she serves as director of She Reads, Proverbs 31 Ministries' fiction division.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ariel Baxter has just moved into the neighborhood of her dreams. The chaos of domestic life and the loneliness of motherhood, however, moved with her. Then she meets her neighbor, Justine Miller. Justine ushers Ariel into a world of clutter-free houses, fresh-baked bread, homemade crafts, neighborhood play dates, and organization techniques designed to make marriage better and parenting manageable.

Soon Ariel realizes there is hope for peace, friendship, and clean kitchen counters. But when rumors start to circulate about Justine’s real home life, Ariel must choose whether to believe the best about the friend she admires or consider the possibility that “perfection” isn’t always what it seems to be.

If you would like to read an excerpt of She Makes It Look Easy, go HERE.

The Sweetest Thing - Book Review

2011-06-14T23:06:00.002-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Sweetest Thing • Bethany House (June 1, 2011) by Elizabeth Musser

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Elizabeth Musser, an Atlanta native, studied English and French literature at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. While at Vanderbilt, I had the opportunity to spend a semester in Aix-en-Provence,

France. During her Senior year at Vanderbilt, she attended a five-day missions conference for students and discovered an amazing thing: God had missionaries in France, and she felt God calling her there. After graduation, she spent eight months training for the mission field in Chicago, Illinois and then two years serving in a tiny Protestant church in Eastern France where she met her future husband.

Elizabeth lives in southern France with her husband and their two sons. She find her work as a mother, wife, author and missionary filled with challenges and chances to see God’s hand at work daily in her life. Inspiration for her novels come both from her experiences growing up in Atlanta as well as through the people she meets in her work in France. Many conversations within her novels are inspired from real-life conversations with skeptics and seekers alike.

Her acclaimed novel, The Swan House, was a Book Sense bestseller list in the Southeast and was selected as one of the top Christian books for 2001 by Amazon's editors. Searching for Eternity is her sixth novel.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Compelling Southern Novel Explores Atlanta Society in the 1930s.

The Singleton family’s fortunes seem unaffected by the Great Depression, and Perri—along with the other girls at Atlanta’s elite Washington Seminary—lives a life of tea dances with college boys and matinees at the cinema. When tragedy strikes, Perri is confronted with a world far different from the one she has always known.

At the insistence of her parents, Mary ‘Dobbs’ Dillard, the daughter of an itinerant preacher, is sent from inner-city Chicago to live with her aunt and attend Washington Seminary. Dobbs, passionate, fiercely individualistic and deeply religious, enters Washington Seminary as a bull in a china shop and shocks the girls with her frank talk about poverty and her stories of revival on the road. Her arrival intersects at the point of Perri’s ultimate crisis, and the tragedy forges an unlikely friendship.

The Sweetest Thing tells the story of two remarkable young women—opposites in every way—fighting for the same goal: surviving tumultuous change. Just as the Great Depression collides disastrously with Perri's well-ordered life, friendship blossoms--a friendship that will be tested by jealousy, betrayal, and family secrets...

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Sweetest Thing, go HERE.

Green Beans and Bacon

2011-06-12T22:36:00.000-04:00

If you like both of the above items then I suggest you head over to How Sweet It Is and make the green bean bacon bundles. I currently have them baking for the second time in three days. Yes, they are that good. The first time I screwed up the sauce so it ended up basically just being a butter/garlic mixture and it was great. Today I managed to get the brown sugar to blend properly so we have the full deal going on over here. I can't imagine they won't be even better than the first time.

Oh, and if you don't like green beans (and you know who you are ye who doesn't eat vegetables), well then the bacon should hide the fact that you are eating a vegetable.

And she has several more recipes which I feel will pop up in my kitchen over the next few months. I mean, red velvet brownies. Now that's what I'm talking about.

I Love My Hair

2011-06-09T18:31:00.000-04:00

If you know anything at all about me you know two things: I am low maintenance and I have high maintenance hair. It's a naturally kinky/curly/frizzy mess that's about 6 inches longer than I normally keep it. Each hair is actually thin but there are so many of them I am considered to have thick hair. Yeah, I know it doesn't look like it, but tell that to the hair dresser who always had to mix up extra color back in the day because they underestimated the thickness.

Anyways, I have never "loved" my hair. I had one good haircut the Summer after my senior year of high school but the hairdresser couldn't even replicate it 6 weeks later. She was an "artist" and never did listen to me. Needless to say I moved on. I can dry it straight in the winter, but once Summer rolls around I just have to succumb to ponytails and frizzies. I've tried every over the counter product on the market and they all fail to deliver.

So back up a couple of years and my dear friend Autumn comes home from a two year stay in the tropics of Asia. And she comes home with stick straight hair that DOES NOT HAVE TO BE BLOW DRIED. WHAT? I mean, she has the naturally curly hair just like me. How did this happen? (Cue mucho jealous music here because I was. I wanted her hair.)

So I started doing some research because I figured it would cost me way too much money to fly to the tropics of Asia to have this done. I am all about travel, but since I no longer had a good reason to go there now that she was stateside I needed to find a plan B. I started doing some research and came across some options that were both pricey and seemed as if they would do permanent damage to my hair. Since the main reason my hair is so long now is because I want to donate it, I figured doing damage to it would not be beneficial to my goal.

Cue current day. I learned about Keratin hair treatments. I learned that they don't damage your hair and they are really expensive. Another thing to know about me. I will drop money on a nice meal, but I am low maintenance. Therefore my hair shouldn't be expensive. Well, thanks to Living Social I got a deal. A Keratin treatment at a salon I had been perusing their website showed up in my inbox one morning and I jumped on it. I waited until the weather started getting humid and booked my appointment. My research told me this would last 6-8 weeks. I needed it to get me through July at least but due to travel I needed to make my appointment in May. So I did. And after 3 hours of sitting in a chair having my hair soaked in the treatment then dried and flat ironed I had straight hair.

I can now let my hair air dry (a little wavy, but no frizz!) or I can blowdry it almost perfectly straight. If I want it to look super straight I can use the flat iron but for the most part it's easy, peasy, 1-2-3sy. And frizzies? Yeah, they went bye-bye too. So, if you have problem hair and you can find a Groupon, I highly recommend the Keratin hair straightening. The best part is, my stylist said if I take good care of it (ie use the good shampoo) it could last 3+ months. Now that's what I'm talking about!

The Lady of Bolton Hill - Book Review

2011-06-08T11:01:00.000-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Lady of Bolton Hill Bethany House (June 1, 2011) by Elizabeth Camden

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A research librarian and associate professor, Elizabeth Camden has a master’s in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in library science from Indiana University. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband in central Florida.

A word from Elizabeth: I am a college librarian in central Florida by day, but by night I can be found pounding out inspirational historical novels the moment the sun goes down. I love writing books about fiercely intelligent people who are confronted with profound challenges. As a rather introverted person, I have found that writing is the best way for me to share my faith and a sense of resilience with others.

As for who I am? I love old Hitchcock films, the hour before sunset, a long, sweaty run through the Florida countryside, and a glass of good wine. After spending my entire adult life on a college campus (either as a student or a librarian) I have finally been able to pursue my ultimate goal of writing professionally.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Female journalists are rare in 1879, but American-born Clara Endicott has finally made a name for herself with her provocative articles championing London's poor. When the backlash from her work forces a return home to Baltimore, Clara finds herself face-to-face with a childhood sweetheart who is no longer the impoverished factory worker she once knew. In her absence, Daniel Tremain has become a powerful industry giant and Clara finds him as enigmatic as ever. However, Daniel's success is fueled by resentment from past wounds and Clara's deeply-held beliefs about God's grace force Daniel to confront his own motives. When Clara's very life is endangered by one of Daniel's adversaries, they must face a reckoning neither of them ever could have foreseen.

When Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain's worlds collide after twelve years apart, the spark that was once between them immediately reignites into a romance neither of them thought possible.

But time has changed them both.

Daniel is an industrial titan with powerful enemies. Clara is an idealistic journalist determined to defend underprivileged workers.

Can they withstand the cost of their convictions while their hearts, and lives, hang in the balance?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Lady of Bolton Hill, go HERE.

Hope Rekindled - A Book Review

2011-06-05T21:57:00.000-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Hope Rekindled Bethany House (June 1, 2011) by Tracie Peterson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.

She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.

In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.

She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.

Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.

Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books

ABOUT THE BOOK

Will Love Escape Her Grasp?

Life seems to be falling into place for Deborah Vandermark. On the cusp of finally marrying Christopher, the man who claimed her heart, she is devastated when he receives an urgent telegram. Bound to his family obligations, Christopher travels to Kansas City, uncertain of what he will find there.

When her fiancé returns to Texas, Deborah is faced with a very different future than she expected. She finds herself plagued with questions and uncertainty...about marriage, motherhood, and her passion to train as a physician. And when an old adversary reveals a contract that may spell ruin for Vandermark Logging, Deborah's life seems to be spiraling out of control. Can Christopher and Deborah find a way to claim the future they long to share when so much stands in the way?

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Hope Rekindled, go HERE.

A Full House, An Overflowing Heart

2011-04-20T15:12:00.000-04:00

Currently my community of RiverChurch friends/family are participating in our latest LoveGave event by painting Mary Ford Elementary school in North Chucktown. I however, have to work during the day. I wish I had the luxury of unlimited vacation days, but I pretty much know on January 1 of each year where my whole allotment of vacation days will go. So I'm signed up at night to work with my community. However, during the day, while working my regular full time job, 8 different children between the ages of 4 months and 6 years will step through my doors. Yep. You read that right. 8 kids. In my house. The only kid normally in my house has 4 legs and looks like a shrunken sheep dog right now. So what have I done? I've borrowed, begged, and stopped just short of stealing. If you walked in right now you would see:

1 high chair, 1 bumbo, 2 pack and plays, a bouncy seat and a swing. In the back of my SUV are a toddler stroller and an infant stroller. I have formula and baby food. Bottles and spoons. In 2 1/2 days this week I've fed 5 bottles and a jar and a half of infant food. Changed multiple diapers and wiped even more snotty noses. More than 10 naps have been taken and 800 questions asked. (Did you know a 3 year old can ask 15 times for a banana in less than 15 seconds? Where is the Guiness Book of World Records when you need them?) And these moms pick their kids up and go home and do even more than that. My hats are off to you all!

But more than all the things that are filling my house are the memories that are filling my heart and mind. The grins I get from the 4 and 6 month old, the snuggles from the 3 year olds and the joy from the fun stuff I can do with the 6 year old when all the calm has settled. I am thankful I can give Cah-son a banana or a cookie or some chocolate milk. I can watch the 6 year old mature and share and collaborate on her artwork with the smaller kids and not scream "It's MINE!" I observed the 13 month old loving on the 6 month old and the 3 year old big sister being protective by saying "Don't hurt my baby sister."

So my schedule and my house are very full. But my heart is overflowing.

Tea for Two

2011-04-16T16:54:00.000-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Tea For Two Harvest House Publishers (April 1, 2011) by Trish Perry

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A word from our Author: I started writing short stories—pretty bad ones. And I started taking creative writing courses to round out my degree. So I was in classes full of people just like me—lousy writers. But we were learning!

Then the Lord led me to a local writers' group, Capital Christian Writers, and the contacts and friends I made through CCW enriched my personal life and my writing life more than I can measure. Through CCW and through reading just about every book and magazine ever published by Writer's Digest, I started catching on. Now I'm writing full time and man oh man do I love it.

Before the writing began, I worked for attorneys in Washington, D. C. I worked for the Securities and Exchange Commission. And I was a stockbroker. A horrible stockbroker. How do people do that? Take responsibility for other people's financial futures? Yikes. I'm perfectly happy to take responsibility for the amount of time any one person wants to spend reading my books. If you enjoy the experience, then know that we both enjoyed it together. I love that about books.

In the midst of all that fretting over other people's money and writing about other people's lives, I racked up a few personal experiences myself. Some good, some bad, but all part of God's plan. Now I'm an empty nester living in Northern Virginia. My brilliantly funny son is in college. I have a savvy, gorgeous grown daughter, a charming son-in-law, and an amazing grandson.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Zack Cooper tries his best to raise his children, but he's losing his grip on them in their teen years. They've both had scrapes with the local law.

Tea Shop owner Milly Jewel has the perfect woman in mind to help Zack. Counselor Tina Milano meets weekly at the tea shop with her women's group. Milly encourages Zack and Tina to work together to draw the teens back before they get in even hotter water. Milly never thought things might heat up between Zack and Tina. Or did she?

Tina's connections with the Middleburg police department prove a mixed blessing for Zack and his kids. Both her best friend and old boyfriend are officers on the force.

And when Tina's women's group gets wind of her personal pursuits and clashes, they want to help. The group's meetings at the tea shop take on a slightly different flavor. Tina wonders who, exactly, is counseling whom.

Although heroine Tina Milano and her women's group are mentioned in The Perfect Blend (the first book in this series), Tea for Two is where we meet her and hero Zack Cooper. I knew I would write this book while I wrote the first, so it was fun to plant a passing mention of Zack and Tina while I wrote Steph's story in The Perfect Blend. By the time I was able to write Tina and Zack's story, I was eager to unfold their lives, conflicts, and love. I hope readers will be eager to experience what happens to them!

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

Best. Date. Ever.

2011-04-07T15:00:00.000-04:00

The Thunderbirds are in town this week and are spending their afternoons rehearsing for the air show this weekend. I am less than 5 miles from the Air Force Base (the way the "Thunderbird" flies...heehee) so I have a nice viewing each day of there practices.

Seeing them reminds me of the best date I ever went on. It was the Summer before my senior year of high school and my boyfriend at the time was going to an air show in the Tri-Cities area with his sister and brother-in-law. They told him I could come and so I went, not knowing what to expect. I LOVED IT! There is just something about watching airplanes flying at fast speeds, in close proximity to one another in the coolest formations that just makes me happy. That was 15 years, 4 boyfriends, and several dates ago and still ranks as the best one ever.

I don't have any pictures from that day, but the memories are still with me. Down to the Pizza Inn we ate when it was all over. You didn't really think I'd be so focused on the date that I would forget the food did you?

Wolves Among Us - Book Review

2011-04-01T22:08:00.002-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Wolves Among Us David C. Cook; New edition (April 1, 2011) by Ginger Garrett

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ginger Garrett is the author of the Chronicles of the Scribes series (In the Shadow of Lions, In the Arms of Immortals, In the Eyes of Eternity), Dark Hour, and Beauty Secrets of the Bible. Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther was recognized as one of the top five novels of 2006 by the ECPA.

Focusing on ancient women's history, Ginger creates novels and nonfiction resources that explore the lives of historical women. A frequent media guest and television host, Ginger has been interviewed by Fox News, Billy Graham's The Hour of Decision, The Harvest Show, 104.7 The Fish Atlanta, and many other outlets.

A graduate of Southern Methodist University with a degree in Theater, she is passionate about creating art from history. Ginger resides in Georgia with her husband and three children.

ABOUT THE BOOK

This richly imagined tale takes readers to a tiny German town in the time of “the burnings,” when pious and heretic alike became victims of witch-hunting zealots. When a double murder stirs up festering fears, the village priest sends for help. But the charismatic Inquisitor who answers the call brings a deadly mix of spiritual fervor and self-deceptive evil. Under his influence, village fear, guilt, and suspicion of women take a deadly turn. In the midst of this nightmare, a doubting priest and an unloved wife—a secret friend of the recently martyred William Tyndale—somehow manage to hear another Voice…and discover the power of love over fear.

Dinfoil, Germany, 1538. In a little town on the edge of the Black Forest, a double murder stirs up festering fears. A lonely woman despairs of pleasing her husband and wonders why other women shun her. An overworked sheriff struggles to hold the town—and himself—together. A priest begins to doubt the power of the words he shares daily with his flock. And the charismatic Inquisitor who arrives to help—with a filthy witch in a cage as an object lesson—brings his own mix of lofty ideals and treacherous evil. Under his influence, ordinary village fears and resentments take a deadly turn. Terror mounts. Dark deeds come to light. And men and women alike discover not only what they are capable of, but who they are…and what it means to grapple for grace.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Wolves Among Us, go HERE

Vicious Cycle - Terri Blackstock

2011-03-24T20:13:00.000-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Vicious Cycle Zondervan (February 22, 2011) by Terri Blackstock

I will start this review by saying I am a huge fan of Terri Blackstock. And she did not disappoint. Vicious Cycle is book two in the Intervention Series. Unfortunately, I had not read book one prior to reading this one, but it didn't matter. Terri does a great job of not incorporating so much of the previous book into the current book that you feel lost. I do want to go back and read the first one though.

In Vicious Cycle, Lance Covington finds himself entangled in the mess of a friend who is drug addicted and her infant. The struggles between his friend and her mother on where the child will end up, along with her struggles to receive the help she needs to be freed from drug addictions are intertwined by Terri into a story that shows how God is with us no matter our circumstances and only by putting our trust in Him and seeking the help we need can we break the Vicious Cycle.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Vicious Cycle, go HERE.

The Caregiver - A Review

2011-03-19T09:04:00.002-04:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Caregiver Avon Inspire; Original edition (March 8, 2011) by Shelley Shepard Gray

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Two lives converge one stormy night on a train headed to cleveland

Lucy is traveling by herself via train to Jacob's Crossing to help care for her cousin Mattie, recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Trying to overcome the sudden death of her husband, she's glad to get away and focus on someone else for a while.

The only other Amish people on the train are Calvin Weaver and his little sister, Katie. When their train breaks down outside of Cleveland, Calvin and Lucy band together to face the outside world. But Calvin also carries the weight of past hurts. When an altercation brings both their wounds to light, they question whether they can trust each other.

Once in Jacob's Crossing, Lucy is occupied with caring for Mattie, while Calvin does his best to run his family's farm. But they can't stop thinking about those special hours spent together. Will the bond they formed last? And will Lucy and Calvin be able to put away the pain in their pasts to recognize the happiness that is suddenly in their grasp?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Caregiver, go HERE.

I Better Get a Card for my Wallet

2011-03-16T14:47:00.000-04:00

Yes, I snagged this image from the website because I am an official member. I have no more words for what this means to me. It means I get to receive none of the perks because someone else paid for it. It means I get to attend BotCon at a discounted price. Well, and by discounted price I mean it costs me nothing because someone else will pay for it. However, there better be a membership card because I plan on putting it in my wallet and showing anyone (or no one) how proud I am to be part of such an elite club.

A Heart Most Worth

2011-03-11T23:00:00.000-05:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Heart Most Worthy Bethany House (March 1, 2011) by Siri Mitchell

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including in Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.

But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.

Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.

Her ninth novel, A Heart Most Worthy, follows prior Bethany House releases: A Constant Heart (October 2008), Love's Pursuit (June 2009), and She Walks in Beauty (Apr 2010). She Walks in Beauty won the inaugural INSPY Award for Historical Fiction in Dec 2010. Two of her novels, Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door were Christy Award finalists. Love's Pursuit was a finalist for the ACFW Carol Award.

Publishers Weekly proclaimed, "Mitchell delivers the historical goods."

ABOUT THE BOOK

The elegance of Madame Forza's gown shop is a far cry from the downtrodden North End of Boston. Yet each day Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana enter the world of the upper class, working on finery for the elite in society. The three beauties each long to break free of their obligations and embrace the American dream--and their chance for love. But the ways of the heart are difficult to discern at times.

Julietta is drawn to the swarthy, mysterious Angelo. Annamaria has a star-crossed encounter with the grocer's son, a man from the entirely wrong family. And through no intent of her own, Luciana catches the eye of Billy Quinn, the son of Madame Forza's most important client.

Their destinies intertwined, each harboring a secret from their families and each other, will they be found worthy of the love they seek?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Heart Most Worthy, go HERE.

Hearts Aglow

2011-03-09T11:01:00.000-05:00

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Hearts Aglow Bethany House (March 1, 2011) by Tracie Peterson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The future should be bright for Deborah Vandermark, who is now pursuing her interest in medicine alongside Dr. Christopher Clayton, who is courting her. But the lumber town is resistant to the idea of a woman physician, and she feels thwarted at every turn.

A more devastating blow occurs, however, when Christopher breaks off their relationship to return home to his troubled family. Despite her own love life going awry, Deborah is still intent to be a matchmaker for both her widowed mother and her brother, who has caught the eye of the spit-fire daughter of the local pastor.

But what will Deborah do when faced with the truth about Christopher's family? Is there hope for the two of them...or will Jake Wyeth's attentions finally catch Deborah's eye instead?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Hearts Aglow, go HERE.

2011-03-04T09:08:00.000-05:00

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.

A Laundry List

2011-03-01T10:30:00.000-05:00

I like doing laundry. I find it therapeutic.
This may be due to the fact that I do laundry for a family of 1.
It also feeds my OCD tendencies because shirts have to be folded a certain way to go in the drawer right, underwear must be folded a certain way to fit in the drawer organizer next to the socks so everything stays in its rightful place.
Towels are my favorites. I once reorganized my boss' linen closet because I couldn't find a washcloth when keeping her kids and since I find folding towels therapeutic I pulled everything out, refolded it, and put it back in. There was a nice stack of washcloths when I was done.
Nothing was where I put it by the next week. Oh well.
If people dropped their laundry off at my house, I'd do it for them. Just know that I will fold it my way and not your way.
In college I did my boyfriend's laundry for him because he dropped it off at my house so it would be there when he got out of class. He was not happy I did his laundry for him. He was an ID10T. Yes, Whit, if you're reading this, you know this guy. And you can confirm this statement for me.
I will iron if necessary. But if there is a lot of ironing, I'm going to need to have a movie playing to entertain me while I perform this chore.
I use free of perfume/dyes laundry detergent because I've had reactions in the past. Plus I feel like this doesn't fade my clothes as fast.
I've considered making my own detergent, but haven't gone that far yet. Since my stash is getting low that may be my next step. Anyone done this? Have tips or a recipe they really like?
I bleach whites. I only use Clorox for this. The generic bleach just doesn't get it as white. I tried it. I didn't like it.

An Interview With Bono

2011-02-22T14:43:00.000-05:00

Check out this post that is an excerpt from the book Bono: In Conversation With Michka Assayas

The statement that struck me most profound in the whole article is "Religion can be the enemy of God." I find this a common statement amongst my Christian friends these days. We're tired of being labeled and judged based on denominations rather than the Bible. I always hear the commercials on the radio for www.notreligion.com. It's not about the religion. It's about the relationship and the desire to follow Christ and become more like Him. My prayer for my friends who do not believe, is that they will see past the religious ideas of this country and see through to the Christian ideals set forth by God in the Word. Because the Word is the truth. No where in the Bible does it say I have to be Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian, etc. to go to heaven. No, it says I must believe. And I do.

Bye Bye Blackberry

2011-02-21T12:11:00.000-05:00

I knew it was coming. The news reports said it was coming. Internal communications said it was coming. And today I got the email that made it all a reality. Sometime in the next two weeks I will say goodbye to this (and AT&T)

and hello to this (and T-Mobile)

Reviews to come, I am sure. Not exactly the phone upgrade I was looking forward to, but we'll see how it goes. The Windows phones get mixed review and if you know me, you know I like to give an opinion.

The King's Speech

2011-01-24T19:18:00.000-05:00

I don't know if I've ever done a movie review on this here blog, but if not, it's time I start. And The King's Speech is a great place to start. This movie was spectacular. It was witty and moving and beautifully acted. Colin Firth as King George VI was spot on. There was never a slow moment. And when you weren't fully involved in wanting him to be able to speak without stuttering you were laughing over the cleverness of the script.

It did receive an R rating for language, but it's a movie to be enjoyed for the ages. I don't regret spending the money to see it in the theater and it wouldn't take much to talk me into going back. The DVD will definitely be making a permanent home in my collection when released. So, if you haven't seen this movie, I suggest you head on over to the movie house near you so you'll know what the hype is about come Oscar time.

Christmas Baking

2010-12-10T21:36:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I am going to hang out with my friend Whitney are little ones and do some Christmas baking. Here are my staples for the holiday:

1. Chex Mix -- I may or may not have already made 4 batches of this in the past two weeks. I like mine a little spicy so I've experimented with using both Tobasco sauce and Sriracha sauce as additive to give it a nice kick. The Tobasco gives it a barely there heat while the Sriracha sauce definitely had a lingering bite. I must admit I was a fan of both. My granny made the best Chex Mix ever. Don't even try to tell me so-and-so makes better Chex Mix because you are wrong. The end.

2. Pumpkin Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies - I saw these on Bakerella's website a couple of years ago and they are so good. With or without the frosting. Even those who say they don't like pumpkin love these as they don't have an overwhelming pumpkin flavor.

3. Holiday Pretzel Treats - Easy, peasy, one, two, threesy. A cool alternative is to use Rolos and pecan halves. Then it tastes like a Turtle.

4. White chocolate covered Nutter Butters. These need to explanation as they are amazing on their own.

5. The basics - Chocolate Chip Cookies, Sugar Cookies, etc.

6. One of these days I might get brave and even try these: Decorated Christmas Cookies

Do you have any holiday baking traditions? What is a must have for you to feel like it is Christmas?

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T23:14:00.000-05:00

In keeping with the Thanksgiving tradition, here are a list of things I am thankful for.

My 3 readers who missed me enough to remind me it had been almost a month since I blogged.
My family. They are crazy, but the more I hear about other people's families, the more thankful I am that mine is a normal kind of crazy.
My friends. Old and new. The old ones keep me grounded, the new ones are a journey.
My best friends. You know who you are. And you know why you fit in this category. We may not have everything in common or be in the same stages of life, but God saw it fit for us to to do life together, and I'm thankful for you.
Netflix and Wii. I know this is superficial, but being able to watch TV shows without commercial streaming over the internet into my TV keeps me sane during the long days working from home.
My health. I do not take it for granted that I am healthy. I can get up each morning, care for myself, travel, visit, and care for others. I am not constrained to a bed or a chair and for that I am thankful.
My church family. Church is not defined by 4 walls, stained glass windows, and a pulpit. Church is defined by the community of people who come together to share in the blessings and reach out to those around them. I am blessed beyond measure to be a part of a community that is doing big things for His kingdom.
My job. It may not be glamorous (or even long term) but in a time when the economy is struggling I am thankful to be employed.
My past. It may not be pretty, but it's what has shaped who I am today. I have made many mistakes, but each one of them was a growing experience and I have learned so much from each one. I am thankful for the challenges I have faced and the hills I've had to climb.
My faith. This is not last because it is least important, but last because it is most important. God is good, all the time. And while we may not see it always, His hand is in everything and He is orchestrating every minute of our lives. I am thankful that I know He will always be there for me. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. It's a guarantee.

I hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have been able to share time with people you love. If you haven't, I am saying extra prayers for those who are away from loved ones or are feeling unloved at the moment.

A Letter to October

2010-10-26T12:22:00.000-04:00

Dear October,

I used to love you. You provided me with my favorite niece Doodlebug and favorite cousin Jennifer. Let's not forget great friend Autumn either.

It used to be that I could count on you for cooler temperatures. Yesterday, the heat index was 88. Today the heat index is 88. October, this is just wrong. I need low 70s. I need 0% humidity. You see, October, you are the month that begins allowing me to wear my hair straight. Today, the humidity is 69%. This is not cool.

I have looked at the 10 day forecast and apparently you are going to play the tease and have a high of 69 on Friday. But Sunday, the last day of your month? 77. Ridiculous.

So, October I want you to think long and hard on what a huge responsibility you carry each Fall. And I want you to think about how you have failed me this year. And next year, well next year I'm anticipating you being on much better behavior.

Sincerely,

RandomCarrie

Contentment

2010-10-20T21:29:00.000-04:00

Miriam-Webster defines content to mean satisfied. I was sitting here tonight wondering how many people in life are truly content. Let's think about this. Our whole lives we are always looking ahead to the next thing. Let's start with childhood. We get a tricycle. Then we aren't happy until we get a bicycle w/ training wheels. Then we can't wait to have the training wheels off. Then it's elementary school where we yearn for middle school. Then we want to be in high school. Then we want to be able to drive. Then we want to go to college. And then we want a job. And we want to be married. Then we want a kid. Then we want another kid. Then we want the kid to be potty trained. Then we want the kid to stay in bed all night. Etc., Etc., Etc. (Oh, and I am totally basing those last couple off the observations of those with kids because this story for me stops at the "and we want to be married step.")

So, I'm just wondering, are we ever content. If our live stop at a certain point in any of these steps and never progress to the next one are we going to be content? Because it seems like we're always wanting more. My new prayer for myself is for God to make me content in my situation. To make me not be so focused on the fact I can't make it to the next step that I don't enjoy where I am and the blessings that my stage in life have to offer me. It doesn't mean I don't want the next step, but I don't want the desire of the next step to define who I am.

The Good, The Bad, and the Sad

2010-10-13T22:15:00.000-04:00

There's a big thing in my life right now that consumes way more of my thoughts than it should. And I pray about it. And I've talked to my friends about it. But unfortunately I'm still a few weeks away from knowing how it is going to turn out. And while I wait it weighs so heavy on my heart. It could be a very good thing or it could be a very bad thing. I try not to dwell on it, and I'm fully prepared for the outcome to be bad. Even though there is a part of me that is hoping for the good. And maybe bad isn't the right word. Because it won't really be bad, it will just leave me sad. I am so hoping for the good, while living in the reality of the sad. And I know that even if I end up sad when the decisions are made, I'll still know I'm right where God wants me and that there are lessons for me to learn in everything I go through. So, may it be good, may it be bad, or may it be sad, let me learn and grow as God intends me to, and may I end up a better person in the end.

Quotes

2010-10-11T15:35:00.000-04:00

I love quotes. I think I love them like I love song lyrics. It's the words someone else has said that just make complete sense. And let's face it, I'd never come up with this on my own. I had most of these stuck to my wipe-off board in my cube, but in a moment of decluttering I decided to take them down and just put them in one document. And now I'm going to share them with you. Because I'm nice like that.

Everybody is interesting for an hour, but few people can last more than two.

– V.S. Naipaul

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

– Marcel Proust

Either you deal with what is the reality, or you can be sure that the reality is going to deal with you.

– Alex Haley

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

– Unknown

Success is the result of countless failures you’ve done in order to attain it.

– Mark Aaron A. Corrales

The prices one pays for pursuing any profession or calling is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side.

– James Baldwin

There’s a difference between solitude and loneliness. I can understand the concept of being a monk for a while.

– Tom Hanks

I would rather hire a man with enthusiasm, than a man who knows everything.

– John D. Rockefeller

Don’t look back – something might be gaining on you.

– Satchel Page

To say yes, you have to sweat and roll up your sleeves, and plunge both hands into life up to the elbows. It is easy to say no, even if saying no means death.

– Jean Anouilh

Hell, there are no rules here, we’re trying to accomplish something.

– Thomas Edison

Chaos is a friend of mine.

– Bob Dylan

There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.

– George Sand

Our life is frittered away by detail… simplify, simplify!

– Henry David Thoreau

1. Out of clutter find simplicity

2. From discord, find harmony.

3. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity

– Albert Einstein, Three Rules of Work

We work to eat to get the strength to work to eat to get the strength to work to eat to get the strength to work to eat to get the strength to work.

– John Dos Passos

Worry is the misuse of imagination.

– Church Sign in Charleston

Sleep Less in Seattle

2010-10-03T20:46:00.000-04:00

Yes, the space is there for a reason. This was not one of those lounge around and get lots of rest trips. But that's ok. I saw so much of the Seattle area and had a great time. Here are some highlights.

Thursday - The Fair. We spent an entire day at The Fair. Seattle greeted me with its finest misty rain. I suppose I had to be indoctrinated into life must go on in the drizzly rain. We saw art work, chainsaw carving, fresh baked goodies, and lots of animals. This little goat was my favorite. He went all in for his food!

We then saw Jeremy Camp and Mercy Me in concert. WOW! Jeremy's concert was so worshipful. I could have listened to him for an extra two hours. Except for the fact my body couldn't remember that it was no longer in the EST time zone.

Friday. Oh, Friday, you were a busy day. I had a conference call first thing so my friend cooked me breakfast while I worked. Yeah, I'm spoiled like that. Then we headed off to the Washington Park Arboretum. I could have spent many hours here just wandering through the trails. But alas we were on an agenda so off we went to the Ballard Locks. This is where the salt water meets the fresh water. And where the fish swim upstream to have more fish. See, it's a fish ladder (or steps.)

Oops, I forgot. On the way to the locks we stopped off to meet one of Freemont's most famous citizens.

Then our agenda allowed for time to stop and eat a crepe. A banana and Nutella crepe to be exact. And yes, I took a bite before I took a picture. It was heavenly.

Next stop was the Space Needle. Thanks to my tour guide for the day, we had a connection and I was able to get a guided tour which included information about Seattle and the surrounding areas as we walked aroudn the top. Here's a view of downtown Seattle from the top.

Our final touristy stop of the day was the Museum of Flight. I could have easily spent more time here, but it was a lot of fun to learn about the history of Boeing, flight in Alaska, and even what the numbers on the runways mean. I even got to go aboard the plane formerly known as Air Force One.

Friday ended with a nice dinner cruise around the Puget Sound harbor. The weather was amazing and the sky was clear.

Saturday: We headed downtown to Pike Place Market and the waterfront. What a perfect day. Low 70s, clear skies, good food, great friends. In order to get some sleep, we opted to sleep in and grab something to eat downtown. Kerri, I had a Piroshky for breakfast. Sadly I was so hungry I did not get a picture. My favorite part of the market were all the lovely flowers. Forget the fish being thrown around, I could not get enough of all the flowers.

Thanks to the wonderful weather and clear sky I was able to get some shots of both Mt. Rainier (over Qwest Field) and the Olympic Mountains from the market and waterfront.

Next we headed North to a corn maze which is in the shape of the state of Washington. The paths through the maze are the highways and interstates of the state and there are items/signs throughout the maze telling you about different parts of the state. If any of you read Twilight (which I don't/won't/shan't) this picture is for you.

Sunday - Snoqualmie Falls: On Sunday we haded East to Snoqualmie Falls. Sadly the trail to the bottom was closed so we couldn't hike down there, but the view from the observation deck was incredible. I am so glad we made the drive to see it. I've been told to come back in 2013 so I can do the hike when it reopens. Sounds like I better start saving my pennies!

This May Be The Only Time I See The Top This Trip

2010-09-23T09:06:00.001-04:00

** Mt. Rainier as seen from seat 24A **

Bucket List - Updates

2010-09-20T19:40:00.002-04:00

1. I took a train trip. On Amtrak. It was cheap, I had plenty of legroom, and it got me from point A to point B on time and without the long security lines. Oh, and having one of my dearest, bestest friends meeting me at point B was fabulous.

2. Shuttle Launch - Scheduled. So, my good friend Adam hit the jackpot of both the ability to buy shuttle launch tickets and he gets to go to the TweetUp. I know he will enjoy that so much more than I would so I could not be happier for him. Especially since I get one of the launch tickets he isn't using. And he'll take great pictures and so I'll get to benefit from seeing them because I am not so good at taking pictures and so I'll get to enjoy his.

3. Season tickets to Broadway shows. So, More Lucy is totally to blame for me splurging and buying season tickets to the Broadway season here in the Low Country. I think she peer pressured me so she'd get some nights out. Hmm... but anywho, the tickets came and we have plans to see the first show shortly after the Shuttle Launch. Looking forward to a girls night out with one of my favorite bloggers whom I also know in real life.

2010 is proving to be a very good year for my bucket list. Here's the the good times that have been had and the good times I am looking forward to.

Another Goodbye

2010-09-06T20:45:00.005-04:00

You know that to-do list I published. I might as well give myself until the end of the year. I've marked off 2 items. Oh well. Here's what I have done though:

1) Went camping

2) Slept in a tent

3) Roasted marshmallows

4) QT with the BFF

5) Made homemade peach ice cream

6) Grilled some steaks

7) Looked at the mountains

8) Stared at the stars

9) Walked to the cemetary to clean off my grandaddy's stone

10) Said goodbye to Bonnie

Yeah, that last one got you didn't it. "Bonnie? Who's Bonnie?" Well, meet Bonnie. She was our family raccoon for the past 3 months. My parents ave a long history of rehabbing wild animals. Bonnie came to them right before Father's Day this year. After several of weeks of feeding her, taking her for walks, and letting her sleep on the back porch (or in the recliner, the bed, or wherever else she foudn herself) she was ready to spread her wings and join her little raccoon friends in the wild.

Bon-Bon, your antics will be missed but you are where you belong. Enjoy the fresh crawdads!

A To Do List

2010-08-30T20:06:00.006-04:00

I'm going to put this out here for all 10 of you to read so that you can see how much I fail at getting it done over the next month. But these are the things I need to do in the next 4 weeks. That's 28 days. Of which 12 I will be out of town. No worries, right?

Downstairs Bathroom

Touchup paint
Hang picture
~~Order wall cabinet~~ - complete 09/06/2010
Hang towel rack

Kitchen

~~Finish painting "test wall" to ensure I like the color~~ 09/19/2010
Reorganize cabinets to make items needed regularly more accessible

Dining Room

Get everything out that does not belong
Measure pictures for wall and send measurement to mom so she can get picture made of Dad and Doodlebug
Take leaf out of table and store upstairs

Living Room

Get carpet and couches cleaned
Rearrange furniture
Fix curtain
Put away items that don't belong

Master Bedroom

Put away items that don't belong
~~Decide if I want new mattress or get rid of queen bed~~ (moved queen bed to guest room 10/09)
~~Clean out closet; get rid of clothes I have not worn since I moved to the low country~~ (10/09)
Move TV into other room

Green Guest Bedroom

Find someone to haul away old mattress
Finish painting
Decide if I want to put a bed in there or make it an office/work-out room
Move TV stand from other guest bedroom into this room

Other Guest Bedroom

~~Decide if I want to move that bed into my bedroom~~ (moved 10/09)
~~Decide if I want to just put daybed in there and only have one guest bedroom (after all there are two couches)~~ (Decided to put queen bed in there and moved double bed to my room 10/09)

Guest Bath

Test paint color on wall
Hang towel rod
Hang shower curtain rod

Outside

Mow
Weedeat
Pull weeds
Take old lounge chair to dump
Mulch

Personal

Budget
~~Resume~~ - complete for the purpose it was needed

So, if I fall off the face of the Earth it's much more likely that I've jumped off my roof in an attempt to try to mark off even 3 of these items. Oh, and I also need to get an applicance person to come look at my washing machine because it isn't aggitating, which is aggitating in and of itself.

Saying No to Starting Over

2010-08-26T23:07:00.004-04:00

I had a call this week about a possible job opportunity. Well, actually I first heard about it last week. The job would be with my same company, but when I first heard about it the idea is that it would be part time for another client. That was attractive to me based on my current situation. Then I found out it would be full time at the other company and would involved relocation in about 6 months. So tonight I said "no." Mainly because I don't want to start over again in 6 months. I don't want to have to pack up my life, sell another house (at a loss), and rebuild my life by myself again. In 6 months I may have no job, but I will have friends who care about me and a life that is somewhat familiar to me. And if I'm going to start over, I want it to be surrounded by people who know me and love me, not the other way around. I don't want to start over again knowing no one and having to rebuild my life from scratch. So for now I'm saying "no." I'm doing this for me, and not for the financial security I may be turning down. But I know one thing for sure, if I had said "yes" it would have been because of my desire to follow some worldy idea of what is right and secure and not because of Him. And that would have been the wrong reason. And this gives me peace.

I Say Goodbye, You Say Hello

2010-08-24T23:34:00.002-04:00

Tonight my family said "goodbye" to my Granny. She said "hello" to her eternal life with the Heavenly Father. It's only hard for those of us on this side. We're the ones left with the void in our lives. My cousin and I were talking this afternoon before she passed about the things we never thought. She said she thought our grandparents would just have Alzheimers forever, our moms would take turns living with them, and that's how it would be forever. I mean, after all, grandparents don't leave their grandkids do they? I am facing the reality that if I ever get married or have kids my Granny won't be there. I never thought I'd face a wedding day without my Granny. She's the one who was supposed to tell me not to see or speak to the groom after midnight until I would walk down the aisle. She's the one who would wear the brightest lipstick and the most fragrent perfume. And she'd have to have a new dress. My granny loved her a new dress. But it's not meant to be. Tomorrow I'll get in the car and drive home to a life I've never known. The life of only one grandparent. The life of a Papaw and not a Granny. The life of a 31 year old whose Granny has been taken from her by a disease that is more cruel that can be put into words. You see, I got to go home and tell her goodbye a few days ago. But my Granny, she never got to tell us goodbye. And that hurts a little bit too.

Anonymity

2010-08-17T21:57:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I wish this blog were completely anonymous. That you didn't know anything about the person who writes it. And maybe you don't. Maybe you've stumbled onto it from some corner of the universe. But I know a lot of my 10 readers in person so sometimes I don't want to just put everything out there. But here's what I do know. I know that if this blog were anonymous I would tell you that I wish I'd never met him. But then I'd tell you that he is perhaps one of the neatest people I've ever met. Then I'd tell you there are lots of reasons why he should not be part of my life, with one of them being big. Then I'd tell you how much I love talking to him, and how sometimes those conversations are that glimpse into a relationship I wish I had. And then I'd tell you how I know I'm setting myself up to get hurt. And then I'd tell you how I know, but yet it feels so good to feel again. But since this blog is not anonymous, you don't know any of this.

Hodge Podge

2010-08-14T20:30:00.004-04:00

I'm over the rainy season. And by the rainy season I'm referring to the Summer months where it rains from 6-8 on weekend days so that you either get soaked going about your evening plans or your evening plans get cancelled. I've said it once, and I'll say it again. I am ready for FALL!

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Last night I played a two person card game over the phone with a friend. The mental aspect of it was a little much for me on a Friday evening, but it was quite entertaining.

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A friend texted me that she is engaged. Yeah for young love. I truly hope she enjoys this season of life and that God will bless them as they start planning a life together.

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This coming Friday night I get to go on a harbor cruise of Charleston. So excited because I've been wanting to do another one for a few months and have the opportunity to as a thank you from work for the latest project we completed.

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Saturday morning I will head home to see my Granny, I hope. Her health is deteriorating and we really don't know how long she will live. It's so hard because she doesn't remember us anymore due to the Alzheimers and yet she's still my Granny and I miss her. The hardest part of moving away was leaving my family. I miss them a lot and wish it were easier to see them more often.

A Random List

2010-08-12T15:58:00.004-04:00

I love throwing surprise parties.

I hate being the recipient of any type of surprise. This includes gifts I have not personally picked out and sold to you to give me or explicitely described and approved for purchase. I also do not like to be the recipient of surprise parties.

I love cupcakes.

I hate lima beans, pinto beans, and collard greens.

I love to travel, so I fly because I have to, not because I think it's exciting.

I would love to take a month-long road trip and see as many random road-side attractions as I can.

I would also love to just go stay in a cabin in the mountains or on a lake for a month.

I love trying new foods, but 95% of what I cook is certifiable Southern: it's either fried or in casserole form

I have always wanted someone to pick me up at the airport with flowers.

I need me time. That means every so often I just want to stay home for 48 hours straight.

I like the idea of going to grand events, but I much prefer small gatherings.

I love playing games and I am fiercely competitive.

Cooking dinner and working on a puzzle is a perfect evening in my book.

Plans

2010-08-11T20:40:00.002-04:00

Mish-mash. Is that even a word? It basically describes my brain right now. It's a mish-mash of wondering. Wondering what I'll be doing 6 months from now. Wondering where I'll be 6 months from now. I know one thing. If you had asked me at 18 where I'd be at 31, it would not be here. It would not be the sole provider for my family of 1. It would not be 5 hours from my family. And it most certainly would not be worrying about if I would have a job in a year. I've been out of college for 8 years now. And I'm on my second job, not by choice. It's hard. It's a lot harder than I tell anyone. And as much as I have not worried about my status before, it's heavy on my heart and mind these days. I wish so often that I had someone to go home to at the end of the day. Someone to hold me and tell me it will be ok. Someone to celebrate the highs with and someone to talk to when the lows hit. And I do have Someone. I have the Someone. He's always there to listen, but so often I don't want to talk to Him. And that's what I need to work on. I need to work on turning my problems over to Him first and foremost. Because no matter what happens, no matter where I am or what I am doing, He is in control. He knows the path my life will take. And really, that's all that matters.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -- Jeremiah 29:11

And If You Haven't Had Enough

2010-08-08T15:27:00.002-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I wrote you an itinerary of what we'd do if you came to visit me. And I knew someone would want to know what day #2 includes. And yes, I knew who would question this. And they did. Love you guys!

For day #2 I suggest a carriage ride. And I suggest going with the Old South Carriage Co. I have done two tours now and this one was much more professional than the first. It takes about an hour and gives a good overview of one of three areas in downtown Charleston. It's always fun to learn something new and this is a great way to see a good bit of the downtown without having to walk it all.

If you're wanting some more history then a visit to the H.L. Hunley is in order. Lost for over 100 years, the first submarine to ever sink an enemy ship in battle was found off the coast of Charleston. A recovery project to restore the ship and learn more about it is just a few minutes drive from my home. To see and learn how this small vessel was able to tackle such an incredible task is very interesting if you're into history and random facts. And you know I'm all about the random facts.

The second day of your trip can also include some time for relaxing on the beach. The coastline at Isle of Palms always offers the relaxing sound of waves and walks along the water include views of some gorgeous homes.

Dining Options:

Breakfast - Charleston's Cafe
Lunch - One of the options you didn't eat the day before
Supper -- Coast Bar & Grill if you're feeling like seafood, Basil if you'd like something spicy

Sometimes Life Takes Us Full Circle

2010-08-05T19:50:00.002-04:00

I was looking for a specific blog post the other day and I ran across this one. So appropriate for my life right now. This time I took a risk and let the person in. And then I got hurt. And instead of walking away, I've let them hang around as part of my life from afar. Part of it is because I know that in a few months I will gain some benefit from this person. Part of it is because this person fascinates me. And part of it is because it gives me hope that there are people out there who share some of my same quirks.

But I know that in a few months I'll also say goodbye and walk away knowing it's what I have to do.

Let's Talk Bucket List

2010-07-29T22:51:00.002-04:00

You know those things you've always wanted to do in your life? Mine is sort of ever growing, but here are a few of the highlights:
1. Visit all 50 states (airport layovers count)
2. Visit all 7 continents
3. Spend a week at a cabin by a lake
4. Take a transatlantic cruise
5. Watch the sun rise on the East Coast
6. Watch the sun set on the West Coast
7. Spend a week with my dad in the mountains
8. Sponsor a child on each of the 6 inhabiteted continents
9. Spend the night in a lighthouse
10. Watch the Boston Pops live on the 4th of July

The Highs and Lows of Late July

2010-07-27T21:52:00.003-04:00

It's hot. The temperature is much higher than I would prefer to ever dwell in, but alas it comes with living in the low country.

It's been four years since she left us.

My dad will be 62 tomorrow. He's now twice as old as me. And simply amazing. I love my daddy.

My uncle has been gone two years tomorrow.

The S.S. Scotts celebrate four years of marriage on Thursday. Love you guys! Thanks for letting me be a part of your big day and so many days since then.

LoveGave -- Go. Donate. I'll be standing outside W@l-M@rt Friday and Saturday. If you're in the low-country head over, say high, and buy some crayons! If you're not in the low country and have already donated THANK YOU! If you still want to donate, please do and THANK YOU!

An Itinerary

2010-07-21T20:44:00.002-04:00

As I stated recently I'm headed to the Pacific Northwest for some vacation time in a few weeks. One of the friends I'm going to see has an entire itinerary planned for the day. Seriously, from breakfast to supper. I'm going to go ahead and apologize to all the people who have ever visited me here because I have FAILED you. Ok, not really. You all seem to still love me and keep coming back. I'm going to pretend it's because I'm a great hostess and not because I leave near the beach. So, I've been thinking. If someone did come to visit me in my city because they want to see my city (and not my beach) what would the be the best way to showcase my 'hood. So here are my thoughts. For those of you've who have been, let me know what I missed or what you didn't like about what I did include.

Breakfast -- Hominy Grill -- There are several great places to grab the 1st meal of the day, but I find this place has the best bacon. And really, breakfast is all about the bacon.

Aiken-Rhett House -- This is my favorite of the historic homes. You get an MP3 to guide you through the house and yard which allows you to tour the home at your own pace. It's my favorite of the historic homes I've been able to visit in person thus far.

Follow this up with a drive down to The Battery and then a walk through some more of the historic district using the amazing walking tour book my auntie Susie gave to me.

Lunch -- The options are unlimited. There's Waters Edge if you're feeling like seafood, Jack's Cosmic Dogs if you're feeling like picnic food, Taco Boy if you're feeling like tacos, Sesame if you're feeling like a burger and sweet potato fries, etc. etc. etc.

Now here is where you'll have to make a decision. For the budget concious we'll head toward John's Island to see the Angel Oak . Trust me, this will not make you want to come back to Charleston, but it is the oldest tree East of the Mississippi. The trip will continue on down to Folly Beach where you can witness first hand the devestation that was Hurricane Hugo. With a section of the island completely washed away, you can now walk to the edge of the surf and see the Morris Island Lighthouse as it sits in the middle of the waterway.

For those who want to spend a little more we'll head over to Boone Hall Plantation. From touring the house to walking through the gardens and learning about life on the plantation in the restored brick slave homes, this plantation is one of my favorites.

Supper -- Old Village Post House -- It's not in the heart of downtown, but it is one of my favorite places to dine.

Dessert -- Kaminsky's -- It's the ultimate dessert place. It may not have creme brule (Anson's has the best), but the offerings are amazing. You can get it to go, walk down a few blocks, and walk along the waterfront as you eat it. Hopefully one of the swings will be empty and you can get a nice breeze of the water and enjoy a perfect end to a great day in the Holy City.

Movie Quotes I Love

2010-07-17T20:58:00.002-04:00

I am a sucker for a good chick flick. I've seen them all. Multiple times. My favorites are The Wedding Date, Sweet Home Alabama, 27 Dresses, When Harry Met Sally, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, etc, etc, etc. And each of these movies has some great lines. Here are a few of my favorites (in no particular order:)

When Harry Met Sally

Harry: I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.

The Wedding Date

Kat: You know what pisses me off? I've been spilling my guts all weekend and I don't know a thing about you.

Nick: I'm allergic to fabric softener. I majored in comparative literature at Brown. I hate anchovies. And I think I'd miss you even if we never met.

Sweet Home Alabama

Melanie: Look at you, you have a baby... In a bar.

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Jake: What do you want to be married to me for, anyhow?

Melanie: So I can kiss you anytime I want.

The Sountrack of My Summer

2010-07-16T21:59:00.002-04:00

In order to survive working in a small trailer at work with some overly loud people (which I know I can be one of those people at times) I rely on my iPod and my Bose headphones. Seriously, two of the greatest inventions ever. So here's what I'm listening to these days to get me through the work days with a bit of my sanity intact.

Matt Nathanson - Some Mad Hope
Train - Save Me San Francisco
Need To Breathe - The Outsiders (Seriously, they have a song "Girl Named Tennessee". What's not to love?)

What is the soundtrack of your Summer?

My New Family

2010-07-11T10:06:00.002-04:00

So, in my previous entry I introduced you to some people who have been part of my extended family for a period of time long enough that they are pretty much stuck with me. Sorry guys!

Now for the new members of my family.

Mike, Whitney, and the boys -- You can meet them here. They are the leaders of my community group. And we also went to the same college. While Mike and Whitney met and fell in love, I didn't know either of them. Whitney and I knew some mutual friends and Mike and I made to sure take every class in the College of Business. But alas, 8 years after we graduated our paths crossed and I love these two dearly. It's great to have people in our present who can also understand part of our past. Mike and I share some similar sentiments of our time at TTU so we can relate on what warped us during those college years. Whitney is a bookworm so it's always fun to share books and discuss what we read. Top if all of with a shared love of Christ and it's win/win. Plus they are about to have a baby (any. day. now) and we all know how much I love babies!

Benji, Lauren, B and baby -- Lauren was the first person to really welcome me into River Church. She's the cutest thing you've ever seen. Really, I've never seen her look bad even when she was moving boxes into their (super-cute) new house. Benji played minor league baseball so it's like having a mini-celebrity in our midst every week. Just kidding, he's in no way conceited. It's awesome to get to talk to someone who got to live out a childhood dream of being in the leagues (even if it wasn't the big leagues.) They bring a real heart for their friends to grow closer in their faith and it's great to hear how God is moving in those relationships each week.

Stephen, Annette, and the kids -- I told you to read Annette's blog a few posts ago. Guys, I'm sorry, I should have said it was for the girls. It's true. It's really not guys reading material. I apologize. I never leave this couple's presence without truly seeing something so God-like and God-minded. I know they have no idea what impact they have made on me and words could not even begin to desribe it. I watch them constantly be obidient to God's calling even if it means wondering how the dollars will stretch the entire month, but knowing that they are where they are supposed to be and that's the ultimate goal. To be where we are supposed to be, no matter the circumstances. And the circumstances, they will show up. Just ask Stephen or Annette. They'll tell you.

And there are so many more. Danna and Corey, Candise, Zhenya, Todd and Lori, and more. To say I have been blessed is an understatement. This group of people has finally made the place I've lived for the past 2 1/2 years finally feel like it might be home to me.

Thought don't think I've forgotten you Tennessee...

We Are Family

2010-07-07T21:20:00.002-04:00

Lately I've thought a lot about family. What is family? Two definitions of family are as follows:

a group of persons of common ancestry
a group of people united by certain convictions or common affiliation

I love my family as defined by #1. They have shaped so much of whom I am today. And I would do anything for any of them . But I think there is something to be said for the group who fall into #2. These people may not be related by blood or share a common DNA, but sometimes they shape us, the love us through the pretty and the ugly, and they leave footprints on our lives that will always be visible. So, I'd like to tell you about some of my family #2. The ones who've been there the past few years and have made an impact that will be long lasting.

S&S -- You can read about them here and here and here. And as much as I loved and respected the two of them then, the love and respect has only deepened over the years. I know that I can pick up the phone and call Shanle to tell her about my deepest secret, my happiest joys, and my random rants. We can talk about 200 things in the course of 5 minutes and know everything that was said. It's through her that I got my title "RandomCarrie" because I don't know that we've ever discussed one item for more than 3 minutes straight unless it was really important. They are my family.

J&A -- Jeremy and I have been friends for 3 years. He married Amy. Praise the Lord. She's perfect for him. Jeremy is like the brother I never had. We've vacationed together, we've watched chick flicks together, and we've watched Dumb & Dumber together. His idea, not mine. He was my wedding date when one was needed and last Summer I had the pleasure of watching him marry his perfect mate. We don't get together as much as possible, but when we do, it's great. My heart is currently breaking for Jeremy as his father passed away unexpectedly today. But I think that's part of being family. We hurt for each other.

A -- I've told you about Arynda before. Many, many times but this one is my favorite. We may not get to talk as much as we used to, but her faithfulness to the calling of serving others always sticks with me. And when I had to pick up and move 5.5 hours away, she immediately said she would go with me to move so I didn't have to go by myself. Her gift of service in such a selfless manner is still an inspiration to me. Now, if I could just get her to learn the word "No"... She is my sister.

A2 -- I don't know if I've told you much about Autumn. Our friendship was cemented through Gmail chat. She served two years in the Peace Corp in Cambodia. And I served 6 months of extreme lonliness here in the Low Country. And God let us cry on each others shoulders, laugh at each other antics, and develop a friendship that 10 years ago would not have existed, but PTL for technology it does. She's that special someone whom I know I can count on for keeping it real. And for telling me in plain English what is going on in the political world both domestic and international. A future CJ Cregg.

Tomorrow I am going to introduce you to the newest members of my family. These are people whom I didn't even know 7 months ago and I have now vowed to love through thick and thin, pretty and ugly, no matter what we may go through.

Monday Musings

2010-07-05T21:12:00.003-04:00

I had 5 cubic yards of mulch delivered on Friday. As of tonight there are still 5 cubic yards of mulch piled on my parking pad. Tomorrow that pile will hopefully shrink by at least .5 cubic yards.
I hate weeds. Seriously, they are a thorn in my side. Thankfully I have not encountered any with thorns so that is not a literal thorn in my side.
There are bats in my attic. They will not leave. I'm becoming anti-bat because they are doing nothing to help the mosquito population.
I have mosquito bites. So many I have lost count. Including one I got between my pointer and middle fingers walking to my car the other day. I hate mosquitoes.
My pastor's oldest daughter M completely made my day the other day when she ran up to me at Wal-Mart, made me pick her up, then had to hug me and talk to me the whole way out the store. Love that kid. She also wanted to come home with me last night, but she doesn't want to live with me. She's going to give me her little sister N though.
I love all my kids at church. Seriously. Every single, stinking one of them. And some of them, well they wear diapers and they stink. Literally. But PTL for Huggies and wetwipes. They can redeem their cute, snuggliness.
I have booked a trip here for later this year:
I am on vacation tomorrow. Guess what that means? Yep, I have to log on and check some jobs for work to make sure people do their jobs. But I refused to do so today because it's a holiday. I checked my email for critical items and that is all. Go me.

Thursday Thoughts

2010-07-01T22:12:00.002-04:00

Today my thoughts are heavy for Amy Beth. If you've never read her blog (women) you are missing out. She's a fiesty girl in her mid-20s who loves Big Hair and Beth Moore. In college she started a ministry for girls in her community and watched it grow. The Lord laid it on her heart last year to end that ministry. Since then she has learned that she has more severe health problems that she ever imagined. So, take some time and catch up with Amy Beth's story. And say a prayer for her. For physical comfort and the emotional comfort she is going to need going forward as she faces the possibilities that lie ahead in her treatments.

Tonight, please lift up Amy Beth. She's in a lot of pain. And as someone who has taken care of so many throughout her short life, she can use all the prayers of as many of us as possible. As a single girl who would love to have kids of my own, I cannot imagine the hurt she is and will be feeling emotionally, but I know that the thought of going through what she's going through on her own must be tremendous.

So, Amy Beth, I'm praying for you. And I'm sure my readers will do the same. You have and you will touch more lives than you can ever imagine.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. -- James 1:12

Life Lessons

2010-06-30T21:17:00.003-04:00

This year I have had an interesting encounter with an adult in my life. We don't see eye to eye with each other and thus we will never be best friends. But alas, we should still act like adults. This person when given the chance has chosen not to act their age. I was reflecting on this today because I just don't understand how some people can act the way they do. And then God gave me a reflection. I think some people are placed in our lives so that we can learn to be better people by not being as they are. I by no means will ever appear to be perfect as I am far from it. However, I sometimes realize that I see how other adults are acting and I catch myself saying a prayer that God will allow me to catch myself before I ever handle myself in the way they do.

Dear Emily Post, I Apologize for Technology

2010-06-29T17:53:00.003-04:00

Etiquette. It's not just for people raised in the South. It's for everyone. And it exists to differentiate us from college fraternities. So, when the following happens it riles me up.

Roommate: Did you get the invite to B's shower?

Me: Huh?

Roommate: On Facebook

Me: Haven't checked.

So I log on and check and sure enough B has sent out an invite to her own baby shower. Now, based on the wording I am thinking she is just needed people's addresses. However, there is a proper way to go about this and a Facebook event is not the proper way.

Now, that being said, if the person throwing the shower (who should NOT be the bride or mother-to-be) decides to save paper and go with evites, I am totally ok with that. But receiving it from the Bride or Mother-to-Be is just wrong.

Here are my other two major pet peeves when it comes to etiquette.

1. Invitations are to be addressed by hand. Getting an invitation in the mail that has been sent through a printer is wrong. Even worse, when it's peel and stick labels.

2. White before Easter or after Labor Day. No way, Jose. I love Heidi Klum, but this is one rule that should not be broken either.

So, if any of the above apply to you then I will make fun and talk about you behind your back. I'm sorry, but it's just what I do. Except that is probably bad etiquette as well....

You Won't Catch Me

2010-06-27T20:23:00.002-04:00

Nope. You're not going to catch me doing the following things this Summer.

1. Twilight. I don't do vampires. That also goes for vampire TV shows on The CW and HBO.

2. Harry Potter. The only potter I do is "Potter"y Barn. And I do enough there I don't need any other potter in my life.

3. The Bachelor/Bachelorette/or whatever lame reality show is currently on. In fact, I really don't do reality TV. I used to watch SYTYCD, but even that is lame now that they changed all the rules, etc. and so forth.

4. Tanning. You may see me at the beach, but that's just so I can burn. It's what I do.

5. Peeing on the beach. I leave that to More Lucy's kids. (There will be a whole blog post on this woman soon. If you're not reading her, start. She's the best thing blogging since sliced bread.)

6. Riding a bike. I don't have one.

7. Eating oysters. I don't like them. Raw or fried. Yuck.

Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico

2010-06-18T22:54:00.001-04:00

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Love Finds You In Golden, New Mexico Summerside Press (May 1, 2010)

by

Lena Nelson Dooley
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For several years, Lena worked on the support staff of a church, but in November of 2002, God changed things so that she could stay home and write full-time. It has been the desire of her heart for a long time. In Proverbs 37:4, it says, “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” She believes that this blessing is a result of her delighting herself in Him, and she praises Him for the opportunity.

She have been a professional writer with a free-lance writing and editing business since 1984. In that time, she has written curriculum for public schools, private schools, and three different denominations. For one company, I managed a writing team that produced a two-year American History course for at-risk students. One of her clients was a Christian comedian for whom she wrote several routines. An airline training company had her edit and design International business reports for them.

Her first novel was published by Heartsong Presents in 1992. Since then Lena Nelson Dooley has written more than 25 works of fiction and nonfiction.

Lena has been married to her husband James since 1964. Theirs was one of those love-at-first-sight relationships. They were married three months and three days after they met. He truly was God’s gift to her. They are absolute opposites, but that means that his strengths are her weaknesses, and her strengths are his weaknesses. Together they make a more perfect whole. She believe that is what God intends for all of us.

They have two daughters. Marilyn Van Zant is married to Roger, and they have a son named Timothy. Tim is now in Tennessee at Ft. Campbell. His son Sebastian is almost 2 years old. Jennifer Waldron is married to Eric, and they have three children—Austin, Marissa, and Amanda. James and Lena love to spend time with their family, and they are blessed that both families live in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex, so they see them often.

ABOUT THE BOOK

All that glitters is not gold. It’s 1890, and Golden, New Mexico, is a booming mining town where men far outnumber women. So when an old wealthy miner named Philip Smith finds himself in need of a nursemaid, he places an ad for a mail-order bride—despite the protests of his friend Jeremiah.

Hoping to escape a perilous situation back East, young Madeleine Mercer answers the ad and arrives in town under a cloud of suspicion. But just as she begins to win over Philip—and Jeremiah himself—the secrets she left behind threaten to follow her to Golden...and tarnish her character beyond redemption.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Finds You In Golden, New Mexico, go HERE.

A Tailor-Made Bride

2010-06-16T22:10:00.006-04:00

I loved this book! Karen Witemeyer really outdid her self with her first historical fiction novel for Bethany House Publishers.

Jericho "J.T." Tucker wants nothing to do with the new dressmaker in Coventry, Texas. He's all too familiar with her kind--shallow women more devoted to fashion than true beauty. Yet, except for her well-tailored clothes, this seamstress is not at all what he expected.

Hannah Richards is confounded by the man who runs the livery. The unsmiling fellow riles her with his arrogant assumptions and gruff manner, while at the same time stirring her heart with unexpected acts of kindness. Which side of Jericho Tucker reflects the real man?

When Hannah decides to help Jericho's sister catch a beau--leading to consequences neither could have foreseen--will Jericho and Hannah find a way to bridge the gap between them?

I loved how Karen wove Biblical value and Bible verses into the story and really told a story of how people can assume one thing about a person and turn out to find their inner person is completely different. The old saying is "you can't judge a book by its cover" but the inside of this book is as cute and clever as the picture on the outside. It will challenge you to really seek what is true without making untrue assumptions about all people based on a solitary experience with another person.

A Hopeful Heart

2010-06-09T18:24:00.001-04:00

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Hopeful Heart Bethany House (June 1, 2010)

byKim Vogel Sawyer
ABOUT THE BOOK

Dowryless and desperate, Tressa Neill applies to the inaugural class of Wyatt Herdsman School in Barnett, Kansas, in 1888. The school's one-of-a-kind program teaches young women from the East the skills needed to become a rancher--or the wife of one.

Shy and small for her twenty-two years, Tressa is convinced she'll never have what it takes to survive Hattie Wyatt's hands-on instruction in skills such as milking a cow, branding a calf, riding a horse, and cooking up a mess of grub for hungry ranch hands. But what other options does she have?

Abel Samms wants nothing to do with the group of potential brides his neighbor brought to town. He was smitten with an eastern girl once--and he got his heart broken. But there's something about quiet Tressa and her bumbling ways that makes him take notice.

When Tressa's life is endangered, will Abel risk his own life--and his heart--to help this eastern girl?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Hopeful Heart, go HERE

Sometimes

2010-05-19T22:28:00.003-04:00

As I sit here in a hotel room in the midwest I have too much time to think sometimes.

And sometimes those thoughts go like this:

What if there was someone waiting for me when I got home, who had missed me all week.

What if there was someone to call me in the evenings and let me vent and share my frustrations a well as share how much I have been surprised at what we have accomplished this week. And just to share life with in general.

What if there was someone to remind me that when all seems hopeless that there is Hope.

What if there was someone to text me randomly during the day just to say hello because I was on their mind. Or good night because I was the last thing on their mind.

Don't get me wrong. I don't mind being single, most of the time. I have opportunities my married friends don't have. And I know that a perfect relationship would not encompass all of the above, all of the time. But sometimes, just sometimes I wish I had that chance. The chance to experience at least some of it.

The Post Where I Finally Tell You About My Trip, Part 1

2010-05-03T21:56:00.009-04:00

So I teased almost two months ago about where I was at that time. So, here's some more information. Through some life circumstances I had the amazing opportunity to go to India. While there I was able to see things that I will remember for the rest of my life: things both magnificent in Earthly beauty and heartbreaking in eternal significance.

I rode a train (train station in New Delhi). The railway system within India is their largest employer of people. For a relatively cheap price you get a train ride and food. And the food isn't bad. Airlines could learn something from this.

I "petted" an elephant made out of broken pieces of pottery. I rode a camel at this location. Worst. Experience. Ever. Camel's are totally overrated. Especially with 3 adult on them. But it was an experience.

I rode in a cab. It was a Toyota. I felt right at home. Except for the fact that this cab ride which lasted about 6 hours in each direction was the equivalent of ground turbulence. We would be riding along and all of the sudden the road would drop several inches. The only thing I can think of to relate it to is air turbulence, but we were on the ground. I think.

I donned the traditional clothing of the region and visited the Golden Temple. While I may be smiling in this picture, the sadness of this was so overwhelming. People so close to believing what is right yet so far away. It is also so surreal to see such beauty in the midst of a city that is so dirty.

I also got a glance of Pakistan. Daily there is a pep rally at the border of the two countries where there is a "changing of the guards" type celebration with a contest between the Indian and Pakistani guards to see who can kick the highest. There is dancing and celebration and both sides have a grand time. It's quite interesting to see as these two countries are not known to be friendly at all times.

More to come....

Things I'm Enjoying Right Now

2010-03-21T20:18:00.002-04:00

1. River Church -- Seriously, it's not church...it's community. It's a community of people who all love Jesus first and love each other and their community second. I have only been involved for a couple of months and these people have touched my life in so many ways.

2. Kindle -- This little piece of electronic wonder is amazing. I can take as many books as I want with me on any trip and it takes up less space than one book. And the wireless capabilities: amazing! When my cell phone died recently I was able to email the person picking me up from the airport to let them know when I'd arrive.

3. PapaJohns.com -- Because who doesn't love the ability to be able to order a pizza and have it delivered to their door without picking up the phone.

A Sneak Peak

2010-03-10T04:35:00.005-05:00

If I Had Two Middle Names, Procrastination Would Be One Of Them

2010-02-24T15:31:00.002-05:00

On Friday I am going on an adventure. For 15 days. So, guess how much I have packed. Yes, reader #3 (I think I have 3 now), that is correct. I have packed nothing. But never fear. I will be packed by Friday. I promise.

Oh Beautiful Day

2010-02-20T18:09:00.002-05:00

Today has been one wonderful day! My friend Angela texted me early this morning to let me know that her husband was going to work so she'd be able to run errands with me. I knew I had to run errands today so having someone to go with me forced me to leave my house and get out. And it was beautiful! Having spent the past few days in the frozen land called the American mid-west, I was so excited to put flip flops on my feet. So we shopped and then ate at Gringos. It's no Chipotle, but it's definitely a nice step up from Moe's or Q'doba. After we finished up a few loose ends I dropped her off at home and checked Twitter for the first time all day. I saw that Annette and Danna were going to the park so I tagged along. Such fun. Annette has 3 of the cutest kids and it was so fun to see them in an environment outside of Sunday school. The middle one, C, is such a cuddle-bug on Sunday mornings. Oh, and I totally blame Annette for the fact that I stopped at McDonald's for a $1 sundae. With caramel of course. Once the kids got tired we all headed our separate ways. Such a great day though. Most of my stuff has been purchased for my next big adventure and I got to hang with some really cool people who are becoming a bigger part of my life here in the low country. Now it's off to do unfun things like laundry, but knowing I had such fun all day makes it all worth while.

What's Your Comfort Food?

2010-02-18T20:37:00.004-05:00

You know, I don't know that I can give a 100%-of-the-time-this-will-make-me-happy answer to this questions, but I can tell you what is just a simple pleasure for me. There is just something about the simplicity of it along with the silky smooth texture. When it comes to the pudding, I'm a straight up vanilla girl. However, if you can find the Jell-O Pudding Pops, I much prefer the chocolate/vanilla swirl.

It's Not Global Warming, It's El Nino

2010-02-12T21:36:00.004-05:00

A view of the snow from my upstairs balcony.

My neighbor's shed and the snow in their backyard.

My balcony and the street view.

I was considering saying "Why me?" but really, how cool (literally and figuratively) that I get to live in the low country during one of the freak times there is actually snow on the ground. Doodlebug, be prepared for me to always talk about that "winter we got snow in the low country." I can't wait to see what it looks like tomorrow before it all melts by noon.

Some Housekeeping

2010-02-11T13:58:00.002-05:00

1) I apologize for the nasty pop-up you get if you actually click on my blog to read it. I made my Twitter account private for a while. It will be back eventually, but for now please know that I needed something that was not out there for the world to see. I could just take that feature off, but then I'd have to go put it back on. So, until I decide what to do, please just "x" out of the annoying pop-up box and know that I love you even more for taking the time to do so to read my randomness.

2) I hope to finish up my dining room project tomorrow night. Well, finished up enough to take pictures and post the before and afters. I'm super pumped about how it is all coming together.

3) I am tired. The kind of tired that I think only a week in bed will cure. And by a week in bed, I mean a week in bed with no insomnia. I have no idea why I have insomnia, but I do. And I'm the kinda girl who needs 8 hours of solid sleep (at least) to function as a normal human. The fact that I have not lost it on anyone yet is nothing more than a miracle. That and I don't have the energy because I am so tired.

Desperately Seeking Cake

2010-02-10T21:51:00.004-05:00

This is a real conversation that took place between my friend Tammy and I today. Tammy is engaged to be married to Scott. This is important to the story.

(Phone Rings)

RandomCarrie: Hello

Tammy: Hey, do you have plans for Sunday?

RC: Yes, laundry.

T: Will you be my valentine?

RC: Um, is Scott out of town?

T: No, but I don't think he will want to go to the bridal show with me.

And that my loyal reader, is how I, the consummate single person who is not a fan of Valentine's Day even when in a relationship, have ended up with plans to go to a bridal show on Black Sunday. (Note: it would be Black Monday if Valentine's Day was on a Monday, etc. and so forth.)

It's also important to note that Tammy called me back less than 5 minutes later. I answer the phone as follows:

Are you breaking up with me?

Nope. We're still going to the bridal show. I can only hope there will be some good cake to taste as I doubt I'll be receiving flowers and a box of chocolates.

The Greatest Gift

2010-02-09T22:30:00.003-05:00

Have you ever given someone something and it almost made you happier to be the giver than it made the recipient to receive it? And it's not that they weren't happy, but eventually the gift will wear out, or get lost, or possibly even end up in a yard sale or at Goodwill. But you know you gave them a gift. And you obtain more happiness from knowing you made their day than they possibly received over the life of the gift. Maybe it was the element of the surprise in them not expecting the gift. Maybe it was the thought you put into the gift and knowing how perfect it was for that one special person.

I wonder if God ever looks at us and feels that way. That He gave us the most perfect gift ever. And unfortunately as we go through life we do forget. It's not that it's a permanent kind of forgetting. Especially if we acknowledge Him as our Savior. But the forgetting that happens as we go about life. Maybe when we stump our toe or have to deal with that incredibly difficult person in our lives. But God doesn't forget. He remembers. And we remember we sit back and think "Wow, how blessed am I that He would give me the greatest gift of all. A gift that can never wear out, never break, and is impossible to return." And know that no matter how happy we are, He is immeasurably more pleased. He knew the perfect gift for us at the perfect time.

The Energizer Bunny, I Am Not

2010-02-08T20:47:00.003-05:00

Recently I've had a social calendar that would rival that of a socialite. The problem is I am not a socialite. I'm a homebody. With every ounce of my being I would rather be in my own home or in the home I grew up in. I'd rather be surrounded by 2-3 close friends than a roomful of acquaintances. So do you know where all this socializing has landed me? Pure exhaustion. I feel like I've put myself out there so much lately that I don't know how much more I can give. This probably wouldn't be a problem except that between my job and wondering about the future of my job, I'm already shot from a mental perspective. So throw in physical exhaustion due to insomnia and you have one dead battery running this person.

So, do you know what I did (or should I say didn't) do: I didn't leave my house on Saturday. Not because of any real reason other than I was tired. Mentally, physically, emotionally tired. Now, should anyone read this who has spent any time with me in the past month, I don't regret a moment of it. But I did need to recharge. I needed to be able to sit on my couch, lie in my bed, and just be. I have so many decisions lying before me right now, yet I have been unable to really focus on them, on me, because I've been so busy being and doing so many other things. So, in the coming days I am going to take some time for me. Go to bed a little earlier. Try to get organized and stay organized. Enjoy what I have instead of worrying about what I have to do. And focus. Focus on the One who has it all under control. Focus on me. Focus on being the best version of me possible.

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Never Say Never

2010-02-05T22:35:00.001-05:00

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Never Say Never

Bethany House (February 1, 2010)

by

Lisa Wingate
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa lives in central Texas were she is a popular inspriational speaker, magazine columnist, and national bestselling author of several books. Her novel, Tending Roses, received dozens of five-star reviews, sold out thirteen printings for New York publisher, Penguin Putnam, and went on to become a national bestselling book. Tending Roses was a selection of the Readers Club of America, and is currently in its fourteenth printing.

The Tending Roses series continued with Good Hope Road, the Language of Sycamores, Drenched in Light, and A Thousand Voices. In 2003, Lisa's Texas Hill Country series began with Texas Cooking, and continued with Lone Star Cafe', which was awarded a gold metal by RT Bookclub magazine and was hailed by Publisher's Weekly as "A charmingly nostalgic treat." The series concluded with Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner.

Lisa is now working on a new set of small-town Texas novels for Bethany House Publishers. The series debuted with Talk of the Town and continued with Word Gets Around and Never Say Never. A new series is also underway for Peguin Group NAL, beginning with A Month of Summer (July 2008), and continuing with The Summer Kitchen (July 2009) and Beyond Summer (July 2010). Lisa's works have been featured by the National Reader's Club of America, AOL Book Pics, Doubleday Book Club, the Literary Guild, American Profiles and have been chosen for the LORIES best Published Fiction Award. In 2009, A Month of Summer was nomiated for the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Kai Miller floats through life like driftwood tossed by waves. She's never put down roots in any one place--and she doesn't plan to. But when a chaotic hurricane evacuation lands her in Daily, Texas, she begins to think twice about her wayfaring existence.

And when she meets hometown-boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily--until she discovers he may be promised to someone else. Daily has always been a place of refuge for those the winds blows in, but for Kai, it looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store--especially when Aunt Donetta has cooked up a scheme.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Never Say Never, go HERE

Bequiled

2010-02-03T22:31:00.002-05:00

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing

Beguiled
(Bethany House March 1, 2007)
by
Deeanne Gist
and
J. Mark Bertrand
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Deeanne Gist, the bestselling author of A Bride Most Begrudging and The Measure of a Lady, has a background in education and journalism. Her credits include People magazine, Parents, and Parenting. With a line of parenting products called "I Did It!® Productions" and a degree from Texas A&M, she continues her writing and speaking. She and her family live in Houston, Texas.

J. Mark Bertrand has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Houston. After one hurricane too many, he left Houston and relocated with his wife Laurie to the plains of South Dakota.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the shadows of Charleston, someone is watching her... Rylee Monroe, a dogwalker in Charleston's wealthiest neighborhood, never feared the streets at night. But now a thief is terrorizing the area and worse, someone seems to be targeting her.

Reporter Logan Woods is covering the break-ins with the hope of publishing them as a true-crime book. The more he digs, the more he realizes this beguiling dogwalker seems to be at the center of everything. As danger draws ever closer, Logan must choose: Chase the girl, the story, or plunge into the shadows after the villain who threatens everything?

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Beguiled, go HERE

Kelly's Chance

2010-01-27T19:03:00.003-05:00

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Kelly’s Chance Barbour Books; Reprint edition (January 1, 2010)

by

Wanda E. Brunstetter
I loved this book! Having read other books by Mrs. Brunstetter I was looking forward to receiving this one in the mail and quickly read it in a couple of days. The book follows the story of Kelly McGregor. Having an older sister who ran off and got married to the first person who would take her away from the life she was living, Kelly is the obedient daughter who spends her days walking on the shore alongside her dad's boat hauling coal down the river in Pennsylvania. When she is able to catch a break, she uses her time to sketch pictures of what she has seen during the days. At one of the stops she meets Mike Cooper who owns a general store and shows her what the true love of God means to a person.
I think one of my favorite things about this book was how Mrs. Brunstetter did not focus so much on the Amish theme as most of her books do. It was neat reading a book written by her which told the story of someone from a different background. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
If you would like to read this book you can purchase it here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1602608903

A Written Word is a Memory Forever

2010-01-22T17:08:00.003-05:00

In an effort to clean out my ~~indoor garage~~ dining room, I have been going through boxes of stuff that I have ever moved from my condo in Knoxville, to my first house, to my apartment, and now to my dining room. Or I've been going through the multiple file boxes I have because the inner accountant in me had saved everything since college (and before.) As I reached the last box I found a file folder of special cards and letters that I have received throughout the past 13 years. It's mostly signed birthday cards from my parents or grandparents or random family members, but there are some special ones too that made me literally take a step back as I read them and laugh and cry and reminisce. Some of these people are no longer in my life, but while they were the impact they made.

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The first thing to get to me was an email from Steve. Steve has not been a part of my life since Spring Break of 2000 when I went with him to buy an engagement ring for his girlfriend. She was my ex-roommate who moved out on my 21st birthday, just a couple of months prior. Between her decision to move out and the fact that Steve was the roommate of my ex-boyfriend we had drifted apart. However, Steve took a deep risk and sent me one of the most heartfelt letters I have ever received. As I read it, I cried. I remember us talking. I remember the times we shared. I remember when he called me after a basketball game to ask if he could come by the next day. He needed to talk. The girlfriend we would buy the ring for a few weeks later? She was pregnant. I let him talk. I listened. I asked him if he loved her. I will always remember his answer: "I don't know how I felt before I heard the news." I know through social media that they are still married and have two boys now. It was definitely in our life paths to only be friends for a season.

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My dad was the ultimate card giver in our family. He always took the time to go and buy us cards. For our birthdays. For Valentine's Day. And he loved to hide them so we would find them during our day. His grandmother taught him that the prettiest card had the most money in it. I called him this year and told him I thought his card was ugly. He laughed.

I found a Valentine's Card that I knew was from him based on the handwriting on the envelope. When I opened the card the first thing I noticed was the picture of the cat on the card. I thought to myself, "I can't believe my dad bought me a card with a cat on it. He and I both dislike cats." I opened it up and sure enough he had put a P.S. in the card. "Sorry about the cat. I couldn't find one with a rat on it. I'd rather have rats than cats." I love that man.

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It turns out my sister and mom are more alike than they like to admit. They both bought the same card for my niece to give me. I am pretty sure it was different years as today is the first time I remember making the connect.

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I found a Christmas card from Shay the year before he and Shanleigh made it to the alter. He took a Kwanza card and marked out certain words to turn it into a Christmas card. This made me smile because I know he took the time to do it mostly because I was friends with the woman he intended to make his wife. And to him, that made me important enough to take the time to do that.

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I found thank you notes and just because notes from friends, kids, and relatives. I sit here with tears streaming down my cheeks. Not because any of this makes me sad. It's quite the opposite. I feel so humbled that even to sign their name to a card took them time. And I was worth even that little bit of time to them.

31 Years Something

2010-01-19T18:23:00.002-05:00

It's true. I'm 31 now. I'm not sure if I'm 31 years old or 31 years young or just plain 31. Kerri hit this mark before I did and it hasn't killed her so I'll keep going. Regardless all is well and I actually enjoyed this birthday more than any I can remember in a long time. I turned it into a birthday week, much to the annoyance of those who follow me on Twitter I am sure. However, it was fun. And since it was so much fun let's recap.

Day 1: I met up with Mer and her other half for breakfast at Okra Grill. Then I met up with a ~~coworker~~ friend and one of my favorite project people from our current acquisition for dinner at Coast. This is one of my favorite Charleston locations to take people who come in from out of town. It's tucked back in an alley out of sight and has one of the best menus for making sure everyone will be happy. And they did not fail. The mixed grill included tuna and the jalapeno bacon wrapped shrimp. Throw in some mahi-mahi and blue cheese mashed potatoes and I was one very happy girl.

Day 2: Girls Night Out with Mel and Ang. We scheduled our monthly girls night out for this night and managed to score Poogan's Porch during the week they do their throw back prices. Once a year this restaurant changes up their menu and slices the prices in half. A nice meal out in downtown Chucktown for around $10 is not a bad deal.

Day 3: Bunco! I've never played before and don't know a lot of my neighbors so when one of the girls suggested we have a neighborhood Bunco group I was all in. I need to get out more and decided this would be a great way to a) not work away my evening and b) be a little more social. It was a great time and I had fun meeting some of the people whom I ~~could throw rocks at their houses~~ live near.

Day 4: Dinner out with my work BFF, Megs. Let's be honest, if it weren't for this girl, I'd lose my mind 5 days out of 5. We went to the Old Village Post House which is also another favorite here in the Low Country. It's not in downtown (thought its sister restaurants are), but in my opinion it is much better than any of its relatives.

Day 5: Dinner in with Mel and her boyfriend. I have mentioned before I participate in a vegetable share, so I picked up the veggies and headed over so Mel could cook me a nice meal. She's a health nut so she knows what to do with all these weird green things that come in my box each week. We then balanced out the healthy by heading to Marble Slab where her boyfriend and I celebrated with ice cream (his birthday is 1 week before mine.)

Day 6: I had actually planned on staying in this day (shocker, I know.) However, a friend called and asked me to meet her downtown to walk. It was gorgeous here and so we walked about 3 miles around the Battery and the old residential section of Charleston. I had actually never ventured out to some of those streets so it was quite the treat. Then I met Mel and her boyfriend at Sesame for a burger, sweet potato fries, and key lime pie. Yummo!

Day 7: The big day! I started the day by walking over to Park Circle and cheering on Mel, Ang, their significant others and another friend as they ran in the inaugural Charleston River Run. It was great fun to be able to walk to the race and then cheer them on. Then it was off to brunch at Hominy Grill with my coworker friend from Day 1. I ended the day with a nice dinner at Bocci with several of the people mentioned above.

All in all my friends were great about allowing me a whole week to celebrate. I feel like lately my life has been so out of control that it was nice to be able to plan and somewhat control one of my favorite holidays of the year. I think the low point was when I realized that this is the first year that I have not had a phone call from my grandparents or a great aunt. I know that in the past few years none of them have remembered on their own, but someone usually called for them. I know I am blessed to have received 30 phone calls from them in the past, but I think the realization I got nothing this year was hard.

So, that's that. I have lots more to share and a big adventure coming up that you all will have to learn about after the fact. Here's hoping to lots of adventures as I start this 32nd trip around the sun.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

2010-01-01T11:50:00.002-05:00

Wow...2009, you sure did come and go rather quickly. I hardly felt like we had time to really enjoy each other. However, I'm going to try to recap some of the highs and lows of what we experienced.

January -- My first big New Years Eve. I went to Memphis and realized that I am not a big New Years Eve kind of girl. Yes, I had fun and made memories, but wearing my pjs is a lot more fun. I turned 30 exactly half way through the month and surprisingly it was not as traumatic as I thought is might be. I was able to spend the weekend with my mother and I believe we have decided that we shall do a low-key girls weekend every year. I look forward to the memories I will have with her during these times.

February -- I went to Dallas, TX, for the first time ever. I was there for work but was able to see one of my friends from high school as well as a friend who had moved there from Charleston. I also made a new friend. I was asked if I went to a local high school (which did my 30 year old heart good) and had some amazing Greek food, cupcakes, and fish tacos. I also watched Slumdog Millionaire the same day it won all the Oscars and completely believe it deserved every single one of them.

March -- March brought the start of a new friendship that I am still cultivating. I have been challenged in may ways by this friendship, but most of all this friendship is teaching me to love as Jesus would love.

April -- I received my hammock in April. And though I have not used it as much in the past few months (I refuse to leave it out in the rain, and it seems everytime I get it out it starts raining) I have enjoyed it and am glad I was able to purchase it.

May -- I went home for Mother's Day and ended up staying a week for my great-aunt's funeral. My grandfather is now the only child left from his family of 9. He was the youngest and the only boy to survive childhood. It was the end of an era as there is now a vacancy at the house on the "Aunt Hill" that I still can't shake. I am also the only person who inherited something that costs me money: the dog. She's a hoot though and I'm thankful she gets to lay beside me a snore.

June -- Oh, the month of weddings. I went to TN for a week and spent most of my time at weddings. It started out with a lovely fairy-tale wedding and reception on a Friday night between my best guy friend and his lovely bride. Then I was able to spend the weekend in the mountains with my family. The following weekend brought me to two weddings in two states for the same couple. Um, yeah.

July -- The S.S. Scotts came to visit for the 4th of July and it was truly one of the best 4ths ever in my opinion. We partook of good food (including some rice krispie treats), the local architecture and history, the beach, and fireworks. We also just had fun vegging out and being together. I personally think they should make this an annual thing, but that's up to them. (hint, hint, nudge, nudge.) Mom, J, and Doodlebug also came for their annual beach trip.

August -- August means night racing and to Bristol I went. A coworker and her husband had the seats next to me and we had a blast. I also got to stay with my baby cousin at her new apartment in the city she's attending grad school. It's so weird to think my baby cousin is off living on her own now.

September -- I started off the month with a trip to the mountains for the annual Labor Day camping extravaganza. My friend Melissa joined me this year and we had a blast. The end of the month saw me heading to Atlanta to see Matt Nathanson (he was opening for a little band called Sugarland.) He was every bit as good live as I had hoped. I also got to hang out with the AB-meister and see her new pad.

October -- I left Atlanta and headed north to K-town. I spent a couple of days visiting with the SS Scotts and McAmis' then headed over to Mom & Dads. Mom, Dad, and I spent a whole day looking at campers for me. The day ended with me trading my car for a vehicle capable of pulling said camper when I buy one. Doodlebug turned 7. Wow, time sure does fly. Arynda ended up riding back to the low country with me and her family joined the next day. I got to spend some time with my two of my favorite red-headed boys and being their favorite "Aunt." I ended the month in Denver with a dear, dear friend whom I had not seen much in almost 3 years. It was a great time of fellowship, snowshoeing, and seeing Wicked. If you have not seen this musical, you should. One of the true classics on stage and it's only a few years old.

November - My cousin settled into is new life in Alaska. That meant spending holidays and his birthday away from home. It was a Thanksgiving full of thankfulness, but also of sadness as we looked around and missed the faces that were no longer with us.

December -- The plane finally flew! After watching people toil over this bird for the last 2+ years (and the years they worked on it before I was involved), to stand in a room with them and see all those years of hard work finally take wing and fly was a moment I hope to always cherish. I was able to go home for the Christmas break, but alas a life in payroll keeps you from really taking a break this time of year. It was fun surprising my family with some of their gifts, and of course seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child.

As we start 2010, I am challenged by the words my boss shared with me during my recent evaluation. He said that at a seminar they held at his church the speaker said you should "be the best version of yourself." I know so many times over the year I fail at this. But I will continue to strive toward this "best version" the only way I know how. By continuing to study the Word, talk to the Father, and cherish what He has given to me. I know that the new year will bring new adventures (a trip I hope to tell you about soon), new challenges (life is always presenting me with these), and the turning of my house into a home. I look forward to spending more time with my family, developing new friendships, cultivating old friendships, and continuing my quest to remove things from my life that are not necessary and adding to it things that are so value added I see the blessings both during this year and as I reflect back on them in the years to come.

May 2010 bless you, my two readers, in ways that you may only realize as you reflect back on it at the end of the next 365 days.

History in the Making

2009-12-13T08:41:00.002-05:00

Pending no unforeseen issues and weather that behaves, the first Boeing 787 airplane will take to the skies on Tuesday morning, December 15, 2009, at 10:00 PST. You can watch the historic first flight from www.newairplane.com with live coverage starting 24 hours prior to takeoff. For up-to-the minute information you can follow the following aviation ~~nerds~~ reporters as they report live from Paine field in Everett, Washington.

FlightBlogger

Future Of Flight

And if you want to see a great picture of the nose off the ground from Saturday's taxi tests, click here.

Stressed but Blessed

2009-12-11T20:48:00.002-05:00

So lately I feel like I've been at my wits end. I've missed my family and friends more lately than any time since I moved away. It's weird to me that all of these feelings would hit 2 years later, but it's true. I know there is a reason I am here, but some days I just want to move home and live with mom and dad. I'm not sure what I'd do, but I'd figure something out. Except I know that's neither realistic nor what God has planned for me right now so here I am. So, what I try to do when I get discouraged and stressed is think on what I have that others don't. So, in an attempt to be optimistic (when I really just want to throw the biggest pity party for one on the East coast) here are some things I'm thankful for:

My salvation, because honestly that's all I need.
Socks that mostly don't have holes in them.
Verizon, email, and Facebook (even though sometimes Facebook annoys me.) All of these things keep me so very connected to those I love and helps with the loneliness.
A roof over my head and blankets on my bed. So many do not have these luxuries, even here in our own country.
Food in my pantry and refrigerator. Even though most of the time it's not what I'm craving, it is there and I can eat it to sustain myself.
People who love me. And who tolerate me calling them daily or ranting when I just feel down about life. Or who make fun of me for being terrified of shots, but being willing to do whatever it takes to help me through that. Who just plain love me for me and not for whom others expect me to be.
The ability to buy a plane ticket to fly half way around the world to see one of my dearest friends.
A job. Even though 9 days out of 10 I am so stressed out that I just want to walk away, I know I am blessed to have this opportunity and that I am learning more and growing more in my abilities daily. Even when I feel like I've lost every single brain cell that connects what little I do know to the other little I know.
Christmas china. I love that for 1 month out of the year I get to pull it out of storage and feel like I'm dining like a princess. Even if I'm dining on Easy Mac or Captain Crunch Christmas Crunch.

So there you go. Just a few little things I think about that I can focus on when I start pity-partying like it's 1999.

Anti-Twilight

2009-12-01T16:11:00.002-05:00

I don't read the books. I don't watch the movies. And I refuse to be a part of this cult following. I also don't do Harry Potter. Don't ask me why, but anything that seemingly was geared toward a younger audience and has somehow captivated people of all ages just seems weird to me. You can leave me comments that say how great they both are, but you will not change my mind.

P.S. I feel the same way about Lord of the Rings. I saw the first two movies because I was dating someone who loved them. The highlight of that relationship ending (other than it wasn't meant to be) was that I was not forced to sit through the third movie. 6 hours of my life I will never get back. UGH.

The Last Song

2009-11-29T20:10:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Thanksgiving (haha) I had a few days off last week which meant I got to read a little bit. This is not to be confused with reading a lot because I have a cute as pie niece who needs attention too. But I did get to read and I chose the book The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. This is his most recent book and was made into a movie before the book was released for purchase. And this is where my problem starts. You see, I know who plays the main character in the movie*. Knowing this, ruined the book for me. I loved the main character. I loved the story. In true Nicholas Sparks fashion I cried. The book was great. But I kept hearing the main character based on the person I know is playing her in the movie. Main character in book = 17 year old girl from NYC. Actress portraying her = not a NYC type of girl. At all. I wish I had not known this prior to reading the book. But alas, the book was good. The jury is still out on if I want to see the movie though.

* You can too. Just go to www.IMDB.com and search for the movie. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone.