What a Road Trip!

Hi Everyone, Debra Clopton here.

I have been buried in deadlines and have missed a couple of post and for that I'm really sorry. God has been faithful though and He's helping me get everything done and I'm feeling positive about making this one on time--I usually do but I always worry that I won't! Anyway, I've missed being here. You all know I love road trips...well here is one I'm glad I'm not on but it may show up in one of my books soon! This sweet man and his puppy and horse came by our church last month ( I go to the Cowboy Church of Leon County in Centerville) and so we are all about cowboys still this was unusual. This nice man came to our church in his covered wagon. The amazing thing is that he came from Corpus Christi Texas. That's over six hours away from us by car. It is a road trip I've enjoyed many times. However, by horse driven wagon it had taken this man since MAY to make the trip. Can you imagine. I can't. I talked with him for a long time about his trip since I was fascinated about what would make someone want to do such a thing. He wasn't through by the way, we were just a stop along the way since he was heading to Arkansas! I have no idea how long it would take him to get there. But you know what, he was witnessing as he went. Telling everyone how God had helped him out as he went. And people were so kind to him, inviting him to camp on their places and helping him fix things on the wagon when it would break and just being kind. It made me think about the goodness of people...it is so easy to think only of the bad things since we see so much of it in the news. It made me think that I want to show the kindness of God in all that I do--and you know what that can be hard sometimes since satan has a way of just sneaking up on me sometimes. I've been reading my Bible more and as always God's widom helps me keep my eyes focused on how I want the world to view me and what I can do to help those I meet. Even if its just a smile and a kind word. Sometimes, like I learned from my friend and his wagon its the simple things of life that bring out the best in all of us.

I have to say though that I'm glad I was born to write about the modern day cowboys of Mule Hollow Texas and to drive a T-bird rather than write about cowboys of the wild west and drive a wagon!

Until next time live, laugh, and love God with all your hearts!

Debra Clopton

FEATURED BOOK: GIFT OF WONDER BY LENORA WORTH

But where was Alice Bryson's fiancé? He was hightailing it out of the Louisiana bayou, with Alice's heart and the townspeople's trust. So how could she believe in another handsome stranger who vows to rebuild their hurricane-battered community? Yet developer Jonah Sheridan promises to do just that. His motive: a secret—about his infamous biological family, folks Jonah never knew. As a reporter, Alice is determined to uncover it. Until Jonah risks everything by opening up…the first of many gifts of wonder in store for Alice, Jonah and their beloved bayou.

FOUND IT!

Okay, I just found it. I told you I did it, only it says Wed so it follows Mother Teresa.

Repeat after me, Val is a doofus, Val is a doofus....

Val

I really did do it!

Okay, folks, I wrote the post, I edited the post, I pushed the right button to publish the post. Only nothing happened.

I'd apologize except I did everything I could to comply and entertain all of you.

Perhaps it will show up eventually. At any rate, it was about rain and had pictures. I hope you all get to see it.

Blessings,
Val

Quotes that Touch Us

Missy Tippens here.

I recently found a slip of paper that had a wonderful quote on it. I don’t even remember where I got it but wanted to share it with you today. However, the paper I had said it was anonymous. Well, I think most of the time people put that because they just don’t know where quotes come from, so I did some research. (Thank goodness for the Internet!) It’s apparently a quote from Mother Teresa. I’m glad I searched for the real author! It makes it that much more meaningful when I read it. I hope it touches you like it touches me each time I read it.

Love has a hem to her garment that reaches to the very dust. It sweeps the stains from the streets and lanes, and because it can, it must.

Mother Teresa: Contemplative in the Heart of the World, 1986, Angela Devananda, editor

This was especially meaningful for me since my son just returned from a two-week mission trip in Kenya at the Tumaini Children’s Home. They worked in the gardens, helped with the children (AIDS orphans) and held medical clinics. They also travelled to three schools to give de-worming medicine. Although he mainly helped entertain the children who were waiting, he said the doctor and helpers treated a lot of patients, some who had never seen a doctor before.

I think the love of this mission team is the love Mother Teresa was talking about, because it’s so much a part of who she was. God’s love compelling people to help. God’s love reaching out to touch a hurting world.

Building an Ark!

Hello!


I'm almost ready to start collecting gopher wood and building an ark right here in Arkansas.





This is the view from my screened porch. No, I do not have a river next to my house, although I am thankful that we live on a hill.





I was happily typing away on a new book on Tuesday when I heard thunder. In minutes it was pouring - and neighbors less than 3 miles away didn't get a drop of rain.


As soon as it was over I stepped outside the screened portion and took this picture. Wow!
Earlier that day I had planted a hydrangea that I had started from a cutting. Poor little plant. I found it with no potting soil around it, lying in the yard. I did replant but not in the same place where it had been. It turned out that that was in the middle of one of these surprise "rivers."

Makes me wonder how strong Noah's faith had to be to have built that ark when all his neighbors and friends told him he was crazy? (Gen. 6 &7) I have enough trouble staying faithful when I'm acting relatively normal and there was Noah, behaving as if he thought the end of the world was near while everybody else laughed at him. That's something to ponder, isn't it? It sure is for me.

Sometimes, we who write Christian fiction come under attack from those who don't like what we do. It happens. And it is my fervent prayer that as these people look back they will be able to see that we, too, stood firm.

Blessings,
Val

Cultural Exchange

I am fascinated by other cultures which is just one of the reasons my family often hosts a child from an orpahange in Ukraine. It's also a chance to share Jesus with a child who otherwise may never hear his name, to show how loving, Christian families interact, and to share our Okie culture and learn about theirs. We are doing so right now. Our host child is 15 and a living doll, both inside and out. She's also funny and a real gamer, willing to try new foods--and ride the Zipper at the country fair. AWK. Never again.

Tonight we had fried okra, a staple for us in the summer months. She doesn't like our ice tea, wasn't crazy about corn on the cob(poor deluded child) but this girl loved okra. In her thick Russian accent, she kept saying, "What is this? Okra? Mmmm." She had also never had M & Ms. My husband believes M&Ms are a staple of life, so he introduced her. She calls them M M Ms. And yes, she likes those too.

This was our first teenaged host child and I was a little nervous at first, being a little kid person, but she has proven to be so much fun. (And she washes dishes without me asking!)

So tell me, have any of you had experience with another culture?

A Time to Laugh; a Time to Mourn

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;"
Ecclesiastes 3 1-4

All of us know the truth of these verses in Ecclesiastes. We've read them and heard them sung. This week our family is preparing for "a time to mourn." My dh's mother is in an ICU. I won't go into the details but my mother in law is almost 90 and her body is slowly failing.

This is the mourning and weeping part. She is the last of her generation in her family and the last of our parents.

Yet this is sad and happy at the same time. We live a 6 hour drive from most of our family. So we are getting time to see and show love to them.

It has also been good to see our children and nephews show such love for their grandmother. The three grandsons who live in the area have all made the trek into the city to visit their grandma--even though she may not even be aware that they have come.

My own son who lives a state away sent a card. Those of you who have adult sons know what a gesture of love this is. When I saw it on the bulletin board in her hospital room, it touched my heart . He called again last night to find out how Gram was doing.

While my dh and his brother have been driving into the city every morning to be with her and talk to the doctors, my daughter and I have been sorting through all the family "stuff" in the house. We have begun the task of preparing the house to go to another family.

As we go through 1920-1933 high school year books and old scrapbooks and photo albums, it has been a good time of sharing. And telling her family stories and history, most of which she had never been told.

I don't know when Gram will go to be with the Lord, but it is comforting to know:

"Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
2 Corinthians 5:5-8

Where everyone knows your name

Janet Tronstad here. I've been spending the month with my parents at their farm in Montana and am reconnecting with people I used to know decades ago (for various reasons, several of my old classmates are moving back to the area). I'm also working on a book with a 'belonging' theme. It all reminds me of the old Cheers program with the tagline 'Where everyone knows my name." I believe we all search for a place like that. The community here in Montana is place for me like that. They not only know my name, but the names of all my relatives, too! Sometimes that good, sometimes not so much -- but that's the way it is. What about you? Is there a place where you go and everyone knows your name?

Hero Interview from The Hero Next Door by Irene Hannon

Interview with the hero (THE HERO NEXT DOOR by Irene Hannon)

1. J.C., tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I’ve never considered myself that interesting. But people always seem fascinated by my background as a Chicago PD undercover detective.

2. What do you do for fun?
Before I moved to Nantucket, I loved coaching the Titan Tigers, a primary-school softball team at my church. We didn’t win many games, but we sure had a lot of fun. And that’s what counts.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
You know, I’m not the kind of guy who puts things off—even tough things. In fact, some people think I’m a little too in-your-face. Especially my sister, Marci.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
That I’ll never reconnect with my brother, who’s serving time for armed robbery. I took over the responsibility for raising him and Marci when I was eighteen, and it’s really hard to accept that I failed with my kid brother. But I’ve never given up, and I pray for him every day.

5. What do you want out of life?
To take the “dys” out of “dysfunctional” when applied to my family. We’ve all had a tough row to hoe. Marci’s doing great; now if I could only convince Nathan to get with the program. And I’d also like to find a woman who might be interested in a Chicago cop from the wrong side of the tracks who’s a little rough around the edges. The bad news is that since I’ve been on Nantucket I’m starting to fall for Heather Anderson, who owns The Devon Rose tearoom. Talk about a silk purse and a sow’s ear. But hope burns eternal…

6. What is the most important thing to you?
Faith and family. No contest.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
I don’t have much time to read. But I try to put in a little time with the Good Book every day.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I could figure out a way to reach Nathan—that I had a better understanding of human nature and deeper insight into what makes him tick so I could help him turn his life around.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
No pets. I’m never home.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
You know, being in law enforcement I’ve always been fascinated with the Wild West. I’d love to meet some of those legendary lawmen who fought for justice, often against great odds.

Will He Know My Voice, ponders from Carol Steward

I'm not sure about you, but I've often worried that when I pray for acquaintances of friends, that I'll get their name wrong, or pray for the "wrong" outcome.Sometimes in my life, I get so busy with family and catching up, that I even question whether God remembers who I am. Sometimes it's so busy I wonder who I am, so I figure with all that God has to keep track of, how can He keep track of me and my prayers?A few months ago my husband and I decided to go out to dinner at the last minute. We were seated in a far back corner, and I heard an infant near the entrance babbling. I was a child care provider for 15 years, so baby sounds are joyful and welcome sounds to me. But this baby's talking got louder and louder. "That sounds like Owen," I told my husband. Owen is our grandson, who was 5-6 months old at that time. My husband nodded, with that "you're imagining things" look.Finally, after a few more minutes I sent my son a text message asking where they were. He was in training and didn't reply. While the baby kept talking, I was more determined that it was my precious little guy. I tried to ignore the noise, ordered my dinner, then got up and started searching for the voice. I'd begun to believe my husband was right, I was imagining things. I'd heard hundreds of babies over the years, so why would one sound any different than all of the others?And then I found him, my Owen. He saw me at about the same time and started squealing with delight. That night, hearing that one voice, and being so certain that it wasn't just "some" baby, it was "my" grandson, convinced me that God indeed knows my voice when I call out to Him. And He, too, will go in search of me in my time of need.No one will ever convince me that my grandson didn't see us walk in the door, passing behind his mom and other grandmother while they were busy taking care of him and his older brother. I'm convinced that Owen was calling us and wasn't going to give up until we found him. So now, when I wonder if God's really listening, I remind myself of that night. I remind myself to have the faith of a child, never-doubting, not about to give up. I am His precious child, He is always listening.

Random End-of-summer Stuff

Wow! Can't believe summer is almost over! This summer was a bit more fun-filled for our family simply because I was on crutches and unable to drive all last summer following a car accident.

I was thinking back to that time and laughing about how being on those crutches made everything take ten times as long. Ever tried hopping with a pan of water from the sink to the stove? Yeah, even every day stuff like cooking for the family became a monumental task.

Having been temporarily disabled helped me in a lot of ways though. It made me more aware of what those who are permanantly disabled have to contend with. Ever tried to push a wheelchair through aisles of a department store? Think most of them are made to ease the way of those with disabilities? Nope. Trust me, NOT SHOPPING for three whole months was a chore in an of itself. LOL!

So if you see a disabled person struggling with a door or to get through an aisle, do offer assistance. When your entire life consists of having to depend mostly on others, it becomes REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hard to ask.

I hope we can all be perceptive enough to pick up on the needs of those around us without them having to ask. I'm trying to be better at it too.

I hope you have had a wonderful summer and are gearing up for a great next season. If you've ever been down and out or on crutches, a walker or in a cast or wheelchair, I'd love to hear your story in the comment section. What did you find the most challenging chore when you were differently-abled?

Hugs all!

Cheryl Wyatt

Summer Lovin'...

If you're a woman (or married to one!) the odds are you have probably seen the movie Grease.

I'm a huge fan. I remember watching it as a child with my older sister and my mom. My dad worked nights a lot when I was in elementary school and he couldn't STAND the songs, so we'd watch the movie until midnight when he got home, and then scurry off to our rooms all innocent, like "we weren't watching anyhing...." It was a huge joke in our family.

Now, looking back, I can't believe my mom let me watch that movie that young!! All those innuendos...haha! But, I didn't understand any of them then - I just loved the pink sweaters, the slick hair dos, the bouncy music, the poodle skirts...

My favorite song from the soundtrack is the duet "Summer Nights". I've memorized it over the years and can sing both the male and female parts, and have even attempted to hit the high notes at the end (privately of course, and usually dogs barked afterward from the shock to their ears!)

Anyway, all that to say, this summer, my sweet hubby and I celebrated 5 years of our own summer lovin'. We were married on August 6th, 2004 at the ages of 19 and 20. Now we're 24 and 25 years old, have been married 5 years, have a beautiful 13 month old daughter, and lovin' each other and our lives more and more every day.

I had to take my post opportunity to brag on him. He planned our anniversary celebration this year and wanted to go all out. Talk about going all out! He did good - surprised me with a stretch Hummer - not just a limo! A fancy dinner out to a nice steakhouse, a stay in one of the cities' finest hotel suites...and even spoiled me with a diamond anniversary ring! What a keeper!

This is my favorite part - we got to the hotel and he said he had one more surprise. He wanted to show me his support of my writing, especially now that I'm a full time stay-at-home, write-at-home mom. I joked "What you'd get me, Nicholas Sparks?"

Even better. A brand new laptop! What a man. I'm the proud owner of a brand new Gateway. When I said we had to name it (Hubby no longer looks at me weird, as I name EVERYTHING. My car is Ella, by the way) he immediately said "Annie."

"Annie? Why?"

He smiled. "For ANNIversary."

That's why our marriage works, right there. =)

Here's some pics of the big event!

A Tribute to Blake Snyder

Last summer at the RWA national conference in San Fransisco, I went to a workshop presented by Blake Snyder, author of Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need and Save The Cat! Goes to the Movies. Blake also wrote many scripts for TV & film and proposals that were made into movies.
At the workshop, I found Blake to be a generous and articulate man with relevant information that I wanted to use for my own writing. I bought both of his books and have just started the first one with highlighter in hand. His easy to read writing style has me turning the pages. I had hoped to one day attend another of Blake's seminars but unfortunately, on August 4th 2009, Blake unexpectedly passed away.
You can learn more about Blake and his screenwriting tips on his website.

http://www.blakesnyder.com/

A Contesting We Will Go...

I've been putting off writing contest thank-yous, but I have to do it today. I received my scores back (three sets) from a published book contest. One I didn't final in. Two sets of scores were pretty standard - easy to write a thank-you. The final set was a bit interesting. See, this is Broken Lullaby, career novel number 15, and actually it's doing pretty well in the contest circuit. But, judge number three didn't really like it. That's okay. I don't like every book I read either. However, judge number three told me why she didn't like it (I do respect that by the way). If she'd (or maybe he'd) stopped there, the thank you would be easy. But he/she didn't. Instead they told me what they'd have done instead and how they'd have done it. Finishing with a "Do you see what I mean?"

I confess, having someone tell me how they would have written certain parts of a published book flummoxed me. It made me think about contest judges. Here are some of the thoughts that meandered through my little brain after I read her suggestions:

1. If I knew these comments were made by Nora Roberts, I'd frame them and put them on the wall next to my computer and look at them every day. Nora knows what she's talking about.

2. If I knew these comments were made by a peer (someone on the same rung of the publishing ladder as me), I'd frame them, put them on the wall across the room and try to think about the suggestions every time I started a new book.

3. If I knew these comments were from a reader, I'd know you can't please every reader.

4. If I knew these comments were from a pre-published writer... Well, this is the scenario I'm having trouble wrapping my brain around. As an author, I don't know how to analyze these comments if they come from a pre-pub. What I do know is... the longer I write, the harder I am to please. I used to like 90% of the books I read. Now it's closer to 40%. Have books changed? No, if anything, they've gotten better - especially in the inspirational world. Have I changed? Yes.

Perhaps I got that prepubbed author who is going through the change! LOL

First, I like this contest, will enter it again, and I'm not bothered by her comments because WOW, she put time into her comments. I'm also impressed that a pubbed contest would send back comments. Most just send back numbers.

Second, I almost stopped judging contests two years ago because I felt bad when I marked somebody down (Hey, I'm an English professor by day - I'm paid to use my little red pen!).

By the way, my novel Fugitive Family hit the shelves just two days ago. Why don't you buy it, read it, and see what you think. I don't care if you're Nora, a peer, a reader, or a pre-pubbed. I just care that you care enough to read it.

Hero Interview from Home at Last by Anna Schmidt

Interview with the hero:

1. Daniel Armstrong, tell me the most interesting thing about you. I own and manage a popular midtown hotel in New York City.

2. What do you do for fun? You’re joking, right? Besides the hotel I have a rebellious teen-aged daughter just suspended from the expensive boarding school she attends, a flighty ex-wife who just took off for Paris and a gourmet cooking course (though I don’t ever recall her setting foot in the kitchen when we were together), an aging parent who insists on remaining on the family cranberry farm in Nantucket even thought she just broke her hip. Fun is not exactly on my Blackberry these days.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it? Confronting those I love when I see that change is coming.

4. What are you afraid of most in life? Ending up alone.

5. What do you want out of life? I thought I want success and $$$ -- now, not so much. A little peace and calm would be riches beyond my wildest imagination.

6. What is the most important thing to you? Family – my daughter, Jazz, and my Mom… and someday the right woman to share my life with.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book? Used to be books on running a business and becoming a big success. These days? Looking for a good book on how best to play the ‘sandwich generation’ game! Any suggestions?

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Cloning comes to mind – I seem to be needed in several places at once.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet? I live in the hotel – no pets allowed.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why? Not so far back – maybe twenty-five years or so and knowing what I know now I would probably make some different choices – like not leaving Nantucket!

FEATURED BOOK: HOME AT LAST BY ANNA SCHMIDT

Ther's no place like Nantucket. It couldn't be home for a man like Daniel Armstrong. After all, he has a luxury hotel to run and a rebellious daughter to rein in. But his mother needs help on her cranberry farm, so he packs up his daughter and returns to his hometown—temporarily. But once there he finds his mother has hired another helper for the harvest. Jo Cooper is capable, smart and irresistible—and she's not about to let Daniel and his overindulged daughter get in her way. Besides, Daniel's not there to fall in love. And he's definitely not looking for a place to call home….

Love of Books

Merrillee here. My mother started me on my love affair with books. She subscribed me to the "Weekly Reader" book club, and she used to read some of the books to my brothers and me at bedtime. Old Bones the Wonder Horse was my favorite.

Books opened a whole new world to me. I grew up in small towns in South Dakota and Montana, but I read books set in all parts of the country. Even though I don't remember the name of the book set in New York City, it introduced me to a place where there was very little grass and a lot of sidewalks. Who knew that people lived in high rise apartments and didn't have front yards. Another book, No Children, No Pets was set in Florida. The book talked about a family who moved to an area where people didn't want children or pets, and they had both. There was also a hurricane in the story. It was a totally different world than the one I knew. Now I understand first hand, since I live in Florida.

Finally, as a part of this blog, I'd like to think I have passed on my love of books. I have one daughter who is a librarian and the other is passing on her love of books to her daughter. Here are a couple of photos of my granddaughter and her books.

Summer's end

Lenora's post got me thinking about how fast this summer has flown. I always think I'll get so much done during these months. I wanted to take a couple of trips with my grand kids. I wanted to go fishing, I wanted to travel to Washington D.C. and party my head off.

Oh, wait. I did go to Washington D. C. and I did take a trip with my grand kids. To Tulsa. They were more fun on the three hour drive down there than they were on the four hour back. Note to self. Shorter trips with the grand kids.

I didn't get any fishing done, but I got another book written. That's always a good thing.

Summers just used to last longer.

Was that my imagination? I don't think so. Summers used to be long, lazy, hot days with softball games and ice cream social. It was licking sticky popsicles on grandma's front steps. It was the county fair and catching tadpoles.

Now it's hard to find time to water the lawn let alone go to the fair. I miss those days. Don't you? What are some of your summertime memories? New or old. Good or bad.

I hope my grand kids look back on this summer as a special one some day. That is if I don't leave them in the salt mime we are touring next weekend as our last little day trip. Did I argue with my brothers that much? Did we drive our folks crazy in the car?
Okay, yes we did.

Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
Pat

Hot Springs

This year in July my husband and I went to Hot Springs and stayed at a bed and breakfast that was an old Victorian house--about 120 years old. We had a great time enjoying the town and the surroundings lake and mountains. We visited a botanical garden and a tower that overlooked Hot Springs as well as took a National Park tour of the restored bath house (picture below). The place was beautiful. One of the highlights of our trip was having dinner on the Belle and cruising around Lake Hamilton (picture above).

Where have you gone this summer? Want to share any good places to visit?

Thanksgiving in August

Hi. It's Lenora. I'm so excited that my book Gift of Wonder is out in the stores this month. Most of the books I've written over the last couple of years have been in the Love Inspired Suspense line (and those were all part of my CHAIM secret agent series.) So it was nice to go back to a straight love story with the only suspense involving the emotions of my characters. This is also a Thanksgiving book. I love holiday stories. After reading Missy's earlier post about back to school, I thought about how much I love summer even if the heat and humidity in Louisiana makes life miserable. But there is something about fall that I love, too. Those crisp mornings where you can talk a long walk, the changing of the leaves from green to vivid reds, oranges and yellows with a little dark burgundy thrown in. I've often wondered how anyone can deny God's handiwork when they're walking through colorful leaves.

With fall comes Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving almost as much as I love Christmas. I enjoy making my famous seafood stuffing (shrimp, crawfish, sausage and lots of buttermilk cornbread and chicken broth along with a few other key ingredients. My husband loves this "dressing" as we call it in the South. It takes all day to make, but it's worth the effort. In my book, this is the dressing my heroine Alice makes on Thanksgiving day--a job that usually belongs to her older sister Lauren. But Lauren has just had a baby. That sense of family is what I love about writing for Steeple Hill. This story is especially close to my heart since it's set in Louisiana and my hero Jonah can't resist the close-knit family that Alice offers him. He's never had that kind of family.

So ... while I'll miss summer with all the flowers and the sun, I will look forward to fall (even though my children are grown and we don't have backpacks and lunch boxes by the front door anymore.) The changing of the seasons is a blessing in itself because we know it only means there is another adventure around the bend. I hope some of you will enjoy the adventure of Gift of Wonder. Because as we all know, God offers us the celebration of Thanksgiving all year long. Even on a hot August night in Louisiana.

Just Saying Hello!

Hello everyone! Debra Clopton here poking her head out of deadline, deadline and more deadline crunch to say I hope this is going to be a blessed August for everyone. This has been a hard couple of months for me but I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to write my books, deadlines are hard but wonderful :) This post is basically to say hi since I'm still swamped and just can't take my head out of the Mule Hollow Book I'm creating. God has been good and readers have been wonderful to buy my books. I pray with each one that I meet the expectation for both the readers and for what God is expecting of the books. So I hope you'll forgive me once more for this short blog but I have to get back to it! If any of you haven't read my Mule Hollow series I hope you'll give it a read and I hope they make you smile. Until next time live, laugh and love God with all your hearts.
Debra Clopton

FEATURED BOOK: THE HERO NEXT DOOR BY IRENE HANNON

He thought the big city was tough.... Then former Chicago cop Justin Clay met his neighbor's rebellious teenage nephew. Just like Justin, the boy had come to Nantucket to put his difficult past behind him. But while love-shy tea shop owner Heather Anderson is doing wonders for Justin's outlook, she's having trouble reaching the teen. Suddenly the man who didn't think he had anything to offer is helping a fractured family, and three fractured hearts, come together. And a world-weary cop is turning into the hero—and husband material—next door.

Celebrating: Back to School!

Missy here. And before you think I'm one of those moms who throws a celebration the day school starts back, let me explain the title of my post. :)

I'm actually going to miss my kids when they start back to school on Monday! I always dread getting back into the school day routine. I miss having them home with me, too. No more spontaneous trips to see a movie or running to McDonald's if I don't feel like making lunch.

But I think a new school year is a time to celebrate. It means lots of of learning. Of meeting new friends. Of enjoying new teachers. And it's a fresh beginning.

I love fresh beginnings, don't you? When you're in school, you have a clean slate. A new chance to prove yourself. And for me at home, it's a chance to get back into my quiet writing routine. It means better focus, less interruptions.

So I'm celebrating change today. Sometimes it's not easy, but it's almost always good. What about you? Any good changes lately you'd like to celebrate? Any new beginnings?

Oh, I can't believe I almost forgot! I'm also celebrating my first Love Inspired book, Her Unlikely Family, being nominated as a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Contest! I'm so thrilled and honored! :)

Men and Women, Mars and Venus, Viva la Difference!

What do you think? Would a little girl have stuck her head in there?

Linda Goodnight here. Remember a few years back when the book, “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” was the big buzz? It was fun learning how men and women view things differently and about the science behind those differences. I’m convinced God wired us this way for very good reasons, and to tell you the truth, I find our differences endearing, affirming and pretty funny, too.

For instance, we women are champions at multi-tasking while men are single-task oriented, able to wrestle a problem carburetor until the thing will run again. I don’t know a carburetor from a radiator and don’t want to. Meanwhile, we women cook super, talk on the phone, help the kids with homework, wash a load of clothes, and think about getting our hair cut all at the same time. This completely blows my husband’s single-focus mind, but he likes it because he gets to eat, the kids are cared for, and he has clean clothes to put on after he’s gotten all greasy from fixing the carburetor.

We all know men dislike asking for directions, but I’ve also discovered that men give directions differently, too. My husband says things like, “Go five miles south of highway 10, two miles west, then a quarter east of the intersection of blah and blah. By then, my head is spinning-I don’t do numbers. So now, I say, “Give me girl directions”. You know—“Go to the Taco Bell and turn left. Drive until you see a blue house with a birdbath in the yard. Turn right and stop at the third driveway-the one with the crack running all the way up to the garage.”

As a writer, I try to remember these unique characteristics when creating my heroes, but I’m always on the look-out for more. So who can help me out? Can you share a male/female difference you find interesting or funny?

Oh, yeah, and while you're at it, celebrate a little because life would be so boring if we were all women!

Let's Celebrate Love & Commitment

If you want to see something that will shock and then delight, go to YouTube with this link and see a truly memorable variation on Here Comes the Bride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

So what do you think about that?

Lyn Cote

Celebrating Each Other Whole-Heartedly

Janet Tronstad here. When I think of celebrating at this time of year, I think of all the writing awards we writers receive. I have to say I am never prouder to be part of the Steeple Hill family than when award time rolls around. No matter who wins, everyone celebrates with a gusto that cheers the winner on. I have never heard any back-biting comments like 'she didn't deserve it' or 'what were they thinking?' -- This attitude makes winning and losing both easier.

I remember growing up how we all loved to have a contest -- a spelling bee or a baseball game, we all wanted to win. I learned early on that I won some (usually the spelling bee) and lost some (any kind of sports) so I learned to both win and lose with some measure of grace. I think of track meets and entries at the state fair. I remember winning an essay contest once with a $50 prize and feeling rich (I think I was in the seventh grade at the time and that was a lot of money to me). What are some of the wins -- and losses-- that you remember growing up?

Heroine Interview from Bluegrass Blessings by Allie Pleiter

Heroine Interview from Bluegrass Blessings by Allie Pleiter:

1. Dinah, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I love to bake. Anything and everything, but especially things that surprise you. Why just make ordinary cookies when you can make gingerbread hippos? Now, my mom wouldn’t say that’s the most interesting thing about me--she thinks my baking is...well...perhaps we’d better not go there. I love to do cakes, too. They almost always mark special occasions and I have loads of fun making them fit the character of the people they’re celebrating. I’m so jazzed up to do my good friend Emily’s wedding cake in a month or so, I might even forgive her for making me wear pastel ruffles. I own a gazillion pairs of flip-flops and wear them year round, but I’m sure I don’t have a pair to wear with a bridesmaid’s dress like she’s got planned.

2. What do you do for fun?
Baking’s fun, that’s for sure, but my finicky oven has a nasty habit of taking all the fun out of it. I like to be with my friends, that sort of stuff. All of life’s fun, if you ask me. Well, most of it.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Oh, that’s easy: dealing with my mother. There’s a reason I moved out of New Jersey as fast as I could, you know. We do much better with a few hundred miles between us. I know as a woman of faith, I should show a little more spine (or maybe compassion), but we can’t ever seem to talk without it turning into an instant argument. I love her but she drives me nuts.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Not getting the most out of life, I suppose. God hands us this bunch of years to learn what we’re all really about, to figure out how to love each other and decide what’s really important--we need to make the most of it. I couldn’t spend something as precious as life hunkered down in some office doing some sensible job--I need to be out in the world, frosting it!

5. What do you want out of life?
A really good haircut, an obedient oven, and the secret to great royal icing! No, really, I want to be connected with the people around me. To matter to people and have them matter to me. That’s why I moved to Middleburg--small towns do that better than anywhere else. Of course, we get all up in everyone’s business here, but it’s because we all really care about each other.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
Celebrating life. Encouraging and celebrating all the little moments that make up life. Sure, there are the wedding cakes and the birthday cakes of life, but I want someone’s daily cinnamon roll to feel like a celebration. Cupcakes for no reason other than it’s Thursday. Extra frosting. That’s the kind of thing that makes me happiest of all, and why God put me on the planet.

7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
Well, cookbooks, but that’s obvious. I read one big, juicy novel on vacation every year. Other days, I’m too busy to manage more than just a magazine.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
When I was younger, I hated my red curls, but now I love ‘em. Why shouldn’t a stand-out gal like me have stand-out hair? Now, I suppose, I’d like to think before I act. I tend to be a shoot first, aim later person, and well, that’s gotten me into a far amount of trouble in the past.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
If I had a dog, he’d be the fattest dog in Middleburg, that’s for sure. Nope, no pets.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
Baker to a king in some medieval castle! Man, that’s when a feast was a feast and food really mattered. Of course, it was a bit harder then, but the drama would more than make up for it. Of course, then I’d probably have to wear something frilly and pin my hair up in some sort of contraption, but I’d cope just to get the chance to say “I’m the Royal Baker.”

FEATURED BOOK: BLUEGRASS BLESSINGS

Everyone in Middleburg, Kentucky, lines up for baker Dinah Hopkins's cinnamon rolls. Everyone except her handsome new landlord, Cameron Rollings. The jaded city man doesn't like anything about small-town life—from the fresh air to her fresh-baked snickerdoodles. And he clearly considers Dinah as quirky as her eccentric oven. The way to Cameron's heart is not through his toned stomach. But the Lord led him to Kentucky Corners for a reason. And Dinah plans to help him count his bluegrass blessings.

Celebrating Each Day

I'm not sure about you, but for me, that's not always my first thought each morning. This year, however, life's many twists and turns have taught me to look at everything differently.

Whether I like it or not, I look at things from the good and the bad. I'd like to credit that to my writing, but I think that is simply the way I was born. When my husband was reassigned to a non-school position, my first instinct was anger. Then I chose to look at it as a blessing, that he would have less stress and more time with our family. As the year proceeded, we did indeed need more time together. We had a new grandson, my mother spent several days in the hospital, and we were adjusting to an empty nest – for the third time.

Then came another turn we never expected. My husband, the eternal optimist who never has a bad day, who loves going to school so much he didn't count days until summer vacation but until the first day of school in the fall, lost his job.

In our 32 years together, we have learned to make the best of the good times and hold on tight through the rough times. I won't lie, it's a challenge at times not to let fear and depression steal our hope. But we know that we are not alone. The little things that used to sound cliché now ring true. We have our health. We have our love, and we have our faith. God has a plan, and we're taking this opportunity to appreciate all we have been given. We're taking this time to simplify our lives. Before we know it, we'll be busier than ever and cherish the gift of slowing down.

I am practicing gratitude- for the coolest and wettest summer on record. Thankfulness for the countless blessings we share. Simplicity-remembering that we can live without so many modern conveniences. Our empathy for the many who have been down this road is stronger and deeper than ever before.

So today find something to celebrate!

Carol Steward

Romance Writers of America RITA award

This past week was the Romance Writers of America conference held in Washington DC. For several days romance writers from the newbie to the long time seasoned pro gathered to learn, share and network.

On Saturday night was the RITA and the Golden Heart awards. The RITA award is to recognize outstanding romance novels published in 2008. The Golden Heart award is to recognize outstanding manuscripts by unpublished authors. The award show was held in the ballroom of the Marriot Wardman Park hotel. Its a night for dressing up and celebrating the romance genre.

This year I was honored to present the RITA for Best Inspirational Romance. The award went to Susan May Warren for the book Finding Stefanie.

Congratulations Susan!

Seven Years? How did that happen? NOT

Last Monday was my seventh wedding anniversary. Yup, seven years. I still feel a bit like Cinderalla who found a prince. When I met my husband Don, I was not only a hopeless romantic but already a romance writer. LOL. So, what happens when a romance writer gets married? Well, here's my wedding invitation, word for word. Yup, I wrote it.


Chapter One
Once upon a time there lived a plumber named Don and a teacher named Pam. They were both searching for that "Special Someone." Truthfully, they really weren't having any luck until one day a matchmaker named Patti got involved. "Huh" said Don. "Hmmm?" said Pam.

For three months they huh'ed and hmmm'ed but kept going out once a week. Then, during month four, Don said, "Uh huh," and Pam said, "Hmmm, yum."

They doubled their time spent together but that wasn't enough. So, do you want to know how this Fairy Tale ends? Good! Join us for...

Chapter Two
On July 13, 2002, the hero and heroine of this Fairy Tale request the honor of your presence at the marriage of Pamela Kaye Tracy to Donald Allan Osback on Saturday, the thirteenth of July, Two thousand Two and six-thirty...

And, yes, when I sent out the Thank You cards for the gifts, I wrote the blurb and it was Chapter Three. Then, when I sent the baby announcement, it was Chapter Four. Now that we have a son, I have no more time to write my own cards LOLOLOL I guess Chapter Five will be his high school graduation.

Heroine Interview from Hometown Courtship by Diann Hunt

Interview with the heroine from Hometown Courtship:

1. Callie Easton, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
Does any woman ever think her life is interesting? Hmm, I’m a hair stylist/manicurist, and I love what I do. I can give a mean pedicure, does that count? I can turn those disgusting little toes and cracked heels into a thing of beauty.

2. What do you do for fun?
Hang out with my friends and my aunt. I love to eat out and have fun. I’ve been called a free-spirit, and I think that’s true. I enjoy life.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Telling Aunt Bonnie and Uncle George about the community service thing. It’s coming at the wrong time of the year.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Never seeing my dad again.

5. What do you want out of life?
I’d like to find a good guy some day, get married, settle down, have kids, all that. Most of all, I would love to see my dad again.

6. What is the most important thing to you?
Family.

7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
Romantic comedies.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I get the hiccups when I’m nervous. Also, if I could add one more thing to change, it would be my disorganization. It gets me into so much trouble. Yet, now that I think about it, it is the reason I met Brad Sharp . . . .

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
Yes, Chaos, a sandy-haired cocker spaniel pup. It seemed like a good idea at the time the breeder showed her to me. Now, I’m not so sure.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I love my Aunt Bonnie and Uncle George, but if I could go back in time, I’d go to when Mom was alive and Dad was still around.

FEATURED BOOK: HOMETOWN COURTSHIP BY DIANN HUNT

His matchmaking brother is sending another single gal Brad Sharp's way. Under the guise of community service! The Make a Home project—building houses for the needy—is Brad's life. He fully expects hairstylist Callie Easton to show up for "work" with a pink hammer and not even use it. Hardly a match for him!With a heart of gold and a talent for transformation, Callie works hard. Still, Brad won't notice her. His grief over a tragic loss has hardened his heart. Well, Callie knows all about loss. And thanks to Brad, she knows even more about making a home—for them.
With a heart of gold and a talent for transformation, Callie works hard. Still, Brad won't notice her. His grief over a tragic loss has hardened his heart. Well, Callie knows all about loss. And thanks to Brad, she knows even more about making a home—for them.

Celebrating with Awards and Rewards

One way to celebrate is with awards and rewards. Sometimes, we can reward ourselves when we've accomplished something. Other times someone else may reward us. As writers, it is fun to celebrate an award. Receiving an award is great, but it is also fun to celebrate with friends when they receive awards as well. Here is a group of the Craftie Ladies as they celebrate with Linda Goodnight last year when she won the RWA Rita Award for best inspirational romance.



Tell us about an award or reward you have received. We would love to celebrate with you.
Merrillee

Fun in Denver

Recently I went to a writer's retreat in Denver. Although I enjoyed listening to some excellent speakers, I'm most thrilled by the fact I totally relaxed and enjoyed the company of other writers without actually feeling I needed to write. I forgot to worked on my story for four whole days and it felt good.

The last night I was in Denver I went out to dinner with Camy Tang, Cheryl Wyatt, Danica from the Steeple Hill boards, Allie Pleiter and Robin Caroll to Cheesecake Factory where believe it or not I didn't eat a piece of cheesecake that day. But I also went on Thursday with Cara Putman, her husband and Karen Ball, and I did get a piece of Snicker Cheesecake. I love snicker bars and the dessert was delicious.

Above is a picture we took after eating at the Cheesecake Factory right across the street at Writer Square. How appropriate is that for six writers!

Heroine Interview from Second Chance Family by Margaret Daley

Interview with the heroine from Second Chance Family by Margaret Daley:

1. Whitney Maxwell, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Since my brother, Noah, found me in Dallas last year, I have hope that I can make my life count for something. I’m studying to be a teacher and have discovered how much I love working with children.

2. What do you do for fun?

I love to ride horses. I go out to Stone’s Refuge to ride with the foster care children there.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?

Cleaning my apartment—you clean and not a couple of days later it is dirty again.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

Last year I would have said nothing. Now I’m beginning to think never having something like Noah and Cara do. Seeing how much my brother and sister-in-law love each other makes me wish I could have that—but I don’t see that really in my life.

5. What do you want out of life?

To help others—especially children in need. I’ve been there. I don’t want others to go through what I did as a child.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

Being needed, accepted totally no matter what I’ve done.

7. Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?

Right now I’m reading a lot of textbooks because I’m going to school to become a teacher.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My past—it’s something I’m not proud of. I made some bad choices. I was angry and didn’t have much hope my situation would change.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

Callie, a cat. She is a great listener.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

To when I was a child. I wish I could do over my life with what I know now.

FEATURED BOOK: SECOND CHANCE FAMILY BY MARGARET DALEY

Dedicated teacher Whitney Maxwell gave up her dream of a family years ago. But she's about to get a lesson in faith and family from an unexpected source—a brave little boy named Jason. Jason and his dad are dealing with his autism the best they can, but Dr. Shane McCoy can't put his tragic past behind him. As Whitney and Shane work together to help his son, could these two lost souls open their hearts to love again and become a lasting family?

THINGS TO CELEBRATE

I'm not the kind of person who has to be entertained or feted to be happy. There are many times when I'm just high on life, itself. That's the best celebration of all - being alive and living in a country where we can express ourselves and worship the Lord without fear of reprisal.

This is where I live, in the Arkansas Ozarks, and I've never been happier.

I'm also blessed to have been kept busy writing the books of my heart for Love Inspired. Right now, there's a FREE online serial running on eHarlequin called FIREWORKS. I know the sidebar by my name says Thunderstorm, instead, but it really is FIREWORKS. And we have an active blog running with it so if you'd like to read along, stop in. The previous chapters are archived so you haven't really missed a thing!

Oh, and my broken arm is healing nicely. There were a few times when I had to opt out of posting here for various reasons but that arm strapped to my side was the best excuse of all. I asked the doctor if I could type by freeing my lower arm at the wrist and he just rolled his eyes. I did do that a bit, though. I even managed to write that whole serial I just mentioned while basically one-handed. I am now happy to report that I can also eat equally well with my left hand, meaning that there is no reason for me to ever miss another meal. It was embarrassing to have to ask my husband to tie my shoes, though! I quickly switched to Velcro and all was well.

Was it possible to celebrate life when I was trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey? Sure it was. I learned a long time ago that happiness is less a matter of circumstances than it is of your response to those things. I might have broken a lot more than my arm. I might have hit my head on the tree I was passing and ended my days right then and there.

But I didn't. The good Lord has given me more time and I plan to make the most of it. The moment we're in is all we can be sure of and it should be celebrated greatly. Every breath we take is a special gift from God. And so is every person whose lives we touch.

You who read this have touched mine and I thank the Lord for each of you.

Blessings,

Val

Celebrating Family!

Don't you just love family vacation time? Especially once the kids get older, and it's harder and harder to keep them at home or off the computer or from texting their friends. :)

Family vacation time, away from home, gives you a captive audience! (Can you see me rubbing my hands together gleefully??) :)

It reminds me of days gone by. Of times when my kids were little and didn't have all the distractions that the teen years bring. My husband and I can spend uninterrupted time with them and enjoy true family time beyond a quick meal together. We can walk together, eat together, watch TV together, talk, play games, dig in the sand, cook together...

The photo above is of last year's beach vacation. A land/water football game between my husband and kids. Of course, I was the photo taker. :) I love summer and summer vacation!! What about you? Do you have any summer family traditions?

Missy

Life is Good, Let's Celebrate!

Hi, Linda Goodnight here, talking about celebration. Don’t you just love that word? It conjures up all kinds of happy events-birthdays, holidays, awards, anniversaries, and sometimes just plain old life. My daughter is home from New York for a few days. Having her here is celebration in itself, but today, out of the blue, she said, “Mom, let’s go get a pedicure.” Now, folks, I am not usually a pedicure kind of gal, although I love the pampering. I said, “Sure.” And off we went. What fun we had celebrating our Mom and Daughter bond as we sat in the massage chair getting our feet soaked, hot oiled, scrubbed, massaged and beautified. We giggled and joked and just had a grand time. Afterward, we stopped at the ice cream shop for ice cream and chit-chat. I mean, who can resist stopping for Rocky Road ice cream when your feet are feeling so gorgeous!

Sometimes you just have to celebrate living.


My son and grandson celebrating life together!

Celebrate with Food! What else?

I am a foodie and I married a foodie and we raised two foodies. My son is engaged to be married and he and his fiance are coming up to visit us at the lake this coming weekend. So I asked him what her favorite foods were so I would make what she liked. His reply; "She doesn't really have any favorites."

I'm afraid that there was a very pregnant pause. The thought that someone didn't have a favorite food dumbfounded me.

My favorite food is of course watermelon. Always has been, always will be. If you want a chunk of watermelon, my refrigerator is the place to go. We eat at least 1 a week. My brother and I used to go through 2 a week as kids!

For every celebration, our family has favorite foods. Also for every season we have favorite foods.

But my family was outclassed by my husband's clan.

I remember when I married my dh that I was a bit astounded that his family celebrated each birthday with not one, but two birthday cakes and with one or two kinds of ice cream. And then I figured out why!

The Cote family motto is "I'll have a little bit of each." I've threatened to cross stitch that and hang it on the wall of --where else?--our kitchen!

Well, I will love my new daughter-in-law even if she isn't a foodie. But she is marrying a Cote, so I think she'll have to get used to us foodies!

Now in closing I'd like to mention that my my blog Strong Women Brave Stories I'm featuring Yummy July. I'm inviting authors and readers to post favorite summer recipes.

So here's one of my favorite summer desserts which was an original recipe by my mom. Therefore it doesn't have a fancy title. Maybe you'll post a suggested title for me.

Ingredients:
2 small packages of orange JELLO
1-2 cups vanilla ice cream
1/2 to 1 pint of fresh washed blueberries
1/2 cantaloupe, cubed or balled

Prepare JELLO according to package directions. Then while still warm, stir in ice cream, then berries, then melon. Chill and serve. If served as salad, plain. If served as dessert, top with whipped cream.

This is beautiful to the eye, takes advantage of some of the in season summer fruits and it's delicious.

So what should we call it? I need a name for it.

Best part of celebrating

Hi, Janet Tronstad here. Those of you who know me, know I'm a quiet party person. When I celebrate, I like to be in a group and I get swept away by the exuberance of other people.

Some years ago, I planned a party with a friend of mine (dinner, games, that kind of thing). We both had a good time and, when it was over, I asked her what - for her - had been the best part. She told me the 'after party' was best -- sitting down and going over the party together, remembering what had happened, talking about it, etc.. That made me stop and think. Not all of us like the same part of a celebration. As for me, I think I like the planning best. I like to imagine how things will go and figure out what we need to make everything go well. I'm usually not the one dancing on the tables, but I'm the one who thought to bring tables to the party in case anyone wanted to dance on one! What part of the celebration is your place to shine?

Hero's Interview from Healing the Boss's Heart by Valerie Hansen

HEALING THE BOSS’S HEART, “After the Storm” series, book #1

1. Gregory Garrison, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Interesting? How about pertinent? I’m only back in High Plains because my father, Dan, is ailing. My cousin Michael, the local preacher, convinced me Dad was about to take his last breath but now that I’ve seen him, I wonder.

2. What do you do for fun?

Around here, very little. I brought my kayak with me when I came back to town but so far I’ve been far too busy to try it on the river.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?

I never put off anything. I handle all the tests that come into my life with skill. Well, except maybe making peace with my father but that man is impossible.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

Hey, I’m not afraid of anything. Like I said, I can handle anything that comes along. I do sometimes wonder what possessed me to hire Maya Logan as my executive assistant. Her qualifications are excellent but she is a Logan, so you never know.

5. What do you want out of life?

What I want, I have. And I earned it all by my own efforts. Michael keeps telling me God brought me back here but I know better. It was a personal decision and as soon as I’m sure Dad is okay, I’m going back to Chicago where I belong. This small town life is not for me. Not anymore.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

My work, of course. Why would you even ask. And I have to admit that having Maya working for me has smoothed out the process. She’s smart and capable. It’s her rosy outlook on life that drives me crazy.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?

I read the Wall Street Journal.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Me? Change? Why would I want to do that? I made up my mind, after my mother died when I was a teen, that I was in charge of my own destiny.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

Pets are a waste of energy. Look at that Tommy kid and his dog. They’re in trouble all the time.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I don’t know. I might like to see my mother again and show her how successful I’ve become, in spite of my father’s lack of support. Or maybe I’d like to see High Plains in its formative stage, maybe meet the founders. I imagine I’m a lot like them.

FEATURED BOOK: HEALING THE BOSS'S HEART BY VALERIE HANSEN

When a tornado strikes a Kansas town without warning, wealthy businessman Greg Garrison rushes an orphaned boy to safety. His heroism—and kindness—stirs something inside single mother and secretary Maya Logan. Especially when her hard-nosed boss helps search for the child's missing dog. Suddenly, Greg is pitching in all over town—including her own destroyed home. Rebuilding efforts will take time. Yet Maya now has hope that there's room in her boss's much bigger heart for love…and family.

Happy Fourth of July! from Carol Steward

The 4th of July has always been a fun holiday. The weather's normally awesome, there's no pressure to buy gifts and we always love the fireworks! So twenty-five years ago yesterday, I gave birth to my own little firecracker, Scott. Since he was due June 19th, I didn't even care that he didn't wait to be born on the fourth. We came home from the hospital on the fourth, and much to my mother's chagrin, I insisted we couldn't miss the fireworks that night. Since my husband was working at an arcade, it was just Mom and me and three little kids, including a 2 day old.

Not much has changed, except my baby is now 25, and we're missing him a lot. We'll be celebrating the fourth, and missing Scooter, with family and friends, much the same as we have for the last two or three decades. How time flies! The kids are grown, and their kids now keep us entertained. We grown-ups are the ones who really miss the fireworks, more than the kids.

We start the day at the Greeley Stampede Parade, largest fourth of July parade in the nation. My favorite is the fighter jets that fly over to start the parade. I choke up every year thinking of how our military is out fighting so we can enjoy our freedom.

Then we walk home (pull a few weeds from my garden) and melt in front of the AC for a few hours and get the feast ready for late in the afternoon. We spend the late afternoon and evening eating and laughing and playing games and celebrating the United State's birthday.

I have two specific favorite 4th of July holidays – Scott's birth year, and 1976, when Colorado had a double celebration. It was Colorado's Centennial celebration, and the United State's Bi-centennial. The whole town was abuzz with celebrations and events and small-town festivities like something in the movies. We had a great time.

What is your favorite way to celebrate the 4th of July? For your enjoyment, I hope this short video of the Lyon's fireworks comes through. It's one of my grandchildren's favorite things to do on grandma's computer.

For Freedom

With the patriotic holiday approaching, I've been thinking about what the day actually means. We, as a country, are celebrating our independence.



Every time I think of freedom, I think of our military and my heart goes out to those serving and to their families. There are some great ways to support the troops. Here are a few:

--Pray for them and for their families
--Send cards or care packages
--Visit military blogs to stay in touch with what our men and women are facing and sacrificing for the sake of your/our freedom.

One of my favorite sites is Sarah Horn's A Greater Freedom. She has a lot of links there that are also great. Hope you will drop by there and give Sarah a shout-out and let her know you appreciate all she's doing to honor the military. www.agreaterfreedom.com

That's one reason I feature military heroes and heroines. I wish to honor them. It's my way of giving back while they risk and sacrifice for my freedom.


TWO MULTI-GENERATIONAL WIA (WOUNDED IN ACTION) WAR VETS EMBRACING

Another great organization is Freedom Alliance.

There is also Soldier's Angels. They help soldiers with care packages. There are a gazillion other organizations that reach out to soldiers.

If you know of more, I hope you will mention them in the comment section. Also, if you or someone in your family served or is serving, God bless you! I hope you will leave a comment letting us know where they serve/d so we can honor them here by saying thanks.

Have a fun, safe holiday. With the men and women serving, we're one of the safest nations on earth. I'm thankful for that.

Have a great 4th of July holiday...and don't forget to tell us about the heroes in your lives if you have a moment. Regardless, thank a vet today.

Faith, Fun & Fireworks

It's almost that time! The 4th of July is rapdily approaching, and of course a fun holiday weekend would have to fall right in the midst of other chaos in my week!

But guess what? This time, its all GOOD chaos. =)

As of tomorrow, July 2nd, I am officially a Stay at Home Mom! (SAHM!) This has been my fervent prayer since giving birth to my daughter almost exactly a year ago, and now the timing is right. God answered the desire of my heart and we're making it happen! I'm excited, nervous but peaceful. This will be a 4th to celebrate, for sure!

Also this week is my husband's birthday (also tomorrow!) We're having a fun family day and then Saturday on the 4th, we are having a joint birthday party with two of our other friends with early July bdays at my parent's house. It'll be a day of fun, fellowship, faith and fireworks. And of course, lots of cake. =)

This is a pic of my Little Miss getting into the recent Memorial Day's festivities. haha! No, the coke wasn't open, but it sure made a cute pic. And it was red white and blue so I couldn't resist posting it today.

I'll have to post a new pic after this weekend of my Little Miss in her 4th of July dress. Its a patriotic print pillowcase dress my friend made, and its precious! I can't wait for her to wear it. I'm also bringing my daughter's new inflatable swimming pool for her and another baby to splash in while we grill and eat lemon pie and soak in all the red, white and blue. This summer here in Louisiana is already a sorcher, (we're hitting 100 degrees already!) but somehow, the heat doesn't seem to matter as much when you're surrounded by the people you love.

I know the 4th of July is a day to celebrate our country, and our freedom. But I feel with that, its a time to celebrate our lives, and all our lives include - faith, family, friends. So don't save the grateful's for Thanksgiving. Be appreciative this weekend of all you have, of all God has blessed you with.

PS - We're continuing to hope for good news about my mother in law soon. She's still in her self induced coma but her body is healing and she is showing very positive signs that she might be waking up soon. We appreciate the prayers and support so much! =)