THE ULTIMATE LUNCH HOUR ESCAPE: Slip away from the Office

THE ULTIMATE LUNCH HOUR ESCAPE: Slip away from the Office:    W hat are three things that would make your work day go smoother? If you're like most folks, a calmer work day is one of the top answers....

Stengthened Through Scuffles

Strengthened Through Scuffles

Be Still My Soul by Joanne Bischof is a wonderfully written book set in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains weaving an exciting tale depicting a mere glimpse into the Appalachian lifestyle. It is a recommend read for everyone, young and old alike. It has a lesson in it that you will want to remember. This story is about two young people, Lonnie Sawyer and Gideon O’Riley, from two very different backgrounds. Both Lonnie and Gideon have had many difficulties, hardships, and some scuffles throughout their lives.

Lonnie’s dad is an extremely controlling person and no one including Lonnie could or would ever go against Joel Sawyer. When Joel Sawyer makes up his mind about something, right or wrong, what he say goes and is enforced whether anyone agrees with it or not. Lonnie would often flee to her Aunt Sarah’s place for support and reassuring words of comfort that she would hear from the Bible.

In Gideon’s family, unlike in Lonnie’s, his mom is the one who determines what happens within his household. Gideon has his own struggles to face and gets in a few scuffles that are beyond his control. His mom despises the Sawyer family tremendously. Gideon’s sister, Mae, contributes the disdain to the knowledge that Joel chose someone else instead of choosing to marry her.

Lonnie and Gideon meet when Lonnie is forced by her father to get up on stage and sing. Lonnie’s mother was originally supposed to be the one singing but since she wasn’t feeling well her dad made her get up on stage and sing. Lonnie didn’t like singing in front of huge crowds, she was scared and shy. She thought her mom was the one with the great voice not her but she did as her father had instructed her to do. She began clapping to the music being played by the band, prayed to God to calm her spirit, and then she sang he heart out. Gideon was a member of the band who played the mandolin. Lonnie was having such a good time that, when her dad said he was ready to leave, she asked him if it was alright if she stay awhile longer. He said it was okay and for her to get her brother, Oliver, to walk her home. When she went to find Oliver to walk her home, he had other plans and asked Gideon to walk her home instead. So she walked home with Gideon and that one decision changed both of their lives forever.

How does God still their souls? Does God still one or both of their souls? Which heart needs the peace that only God can give more, Lonnie or Gideon? How are they able to overcome their hardships? Are Lonnie and Gideon strengthened by their scuffles and difficulties? To find out the answer to these questions and what difficulties Lonnie and Gideon face both on their own and together, I would strongly recommend you pick up a copy of “Be Still My Soul” by Joanne Bichof and begin reading it. You will not be disappointed that you did. It is a marvelous book with a lesson for us all to understand.

Please take note that I have received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I have in no way received any compensation for this review.  I give this book a five star rating.

www.waterbrookmultnomah.com

www.joannebischof.com

www.facebook.com/authorjoannebischof

www.amazon.com/Be-Still-My-Soul-Cadence

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Amy Clipston Books: Win Amish peanut butter, calendar & Kauffman Amish...

Amy Clipston Books: Win Amish peanut butter, calendar & Kauffman Amish...: Hi friends! Are you ready for a new contest? This week one winner  will   receive each of the following items: An auto...

Love's Struggle to Blend Two Souls

Love’s Struggle to Blend Two Souls

“The Struggle: Kentucky Brothers” by Wanda E. Brunstetter is a wonderfully well written book. I enjoyed reading it thoroughly and am grateful to the author for allowing me to win this autographed copy for free. I would highly recommend this book to everyone, not just those who enjoy reading Amish fiction but to any and everyone who enjoys Christian fiction and romance stories.

The story starts out in Paradise, Pennsylvania but then transcends to Christian County, Kentucky. Timothy Fisher is married to Hannah but their marriage is struggling to survive. Timothy feels that Hannah’s dependence on her family especially her mother is hindering their relationship. Due to these problems in their marriage, Timothy feels it is necessary for a change and has decided it would be for the best if he and Hannah move to Christian County, Kentucky. Timothy hopes that Hannah will turn to him, rely on him, and will better communicate with him if they are away from her family.

Timothy’s twin brother had already moved to Kentucky for work and well as one of his other brother’s, Samuel. His plan is to stay with his brother, Samuel and work for him until he can save enough for a place of their own. Samuel has been steadily working for Allen Walters and building up his own business on the side. He has so many jobs lined up that he could really use Timothy’s help.

Hannah is reluctant and angry about Timothy’s decision to move them to Kentucky. She doesn’t want to move away from her family. She is very close to her mother and will miss her very much. Instead of being cooperative regarding the move and her husband’s leadership she fights him all the way. Knowing that Samuel is a widow with children she wonders if he’ll expect her to watch over his children while he and Timothy are working.

While Timothy is struggling to work and save money for a place of their own, their problems worsen instead of getting better as he had hoped. Hannah’s resentment toward the change continues to grow and eventually she flees back to her parents’ home in Pennsylvania.  How can their lives and hearts become blended together if there is so much conflict and resentment between them? Will Hannah’s leaving Samuel for her parents’ home solve anything?

Find out if their two souls will become blended together by reading this fantastic story. How will God intervene in their lives? Will Hannah’s resentment and anger fade and go away? How will their faith in God be displayed through this struggle? Will they turn to God? Will their faith grow stronger and more dependent upon God or will one or both be angry with God over their struggles and circumstances?

The answers to these life lessons are intertwined into the story and struggles of the lives of Timothy and Hannah Fisher. Pick up a copy today and begin reading this fascinating and thrilling story.

This book was received for free from the author. I have in no way received any compensation for the review of this book.

www.wandabrunstetter.com

www.barbourbooks.com/author
              wanda.brunstetter@facebook.com

Tricia Goyer Complete Booklist

Tricia Goyer Complete Booklist A list of Tricia Goyer Books to take to the library.

This September 11: HONOR, REMEMBER, REUNITE

THIS SEPTEMBER 11: HONOR, REMEMBER, REUNITE
“May the lives remembered, the deeds recognized, and the spirit reawakened be eternal beacons, which reaffirm respect for life, strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom, and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance and intolerance.”
These words are part of the mission statement of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center in New York City. As the nation and world mark the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, gfpacificbee.blogspot.com shares the sentiments of the 9/11 Memorial and calls upon readers to make Sept. 11, 2012 a day of commemoration.
Take a moment to remember and honor the thousands of innocent men, women, and children murdered by terrorists in the horrific attacks of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001. Thank your local first responders for their dedication to protecting your community. Remember the many Americans who have served and are currently serving in our nation's military—many of whom enlisted as a response to the 9/11 attacks.
Let us come together this 9/11 to honor, remember and reunite. For more information from the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, visit 911memorial.org.

<div style='padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px'><a href='http://pinterest.com/pin/166351779957033470/' target='_blank'><img src='http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/166351779957033470_KpgDpngr_c.jpg' border='0' width='448' height ='302'/></a></div><div style='float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;'><p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com/'>vannettachapman.wordpress.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/raisinpeke1/' target='_blank'>Judy</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>

Hearts and Orchards: Tended by love

 

A book review for “A Season for Tending: Amish Vines and Orchards – Book 1” by Cindy Woodsmall.

A Season of Tending by Cindy Woodsmall is the first book in her new series entitled Amish Vines and Orchards. I found the book to be intriguing, filled with rumors and the mysteries surrounding life and love.

The story begins at the Byler home in Morgansville, where Rhoda Byler is tending her herb and berries gardens. Rhoda has enjoyed tending her gardens since the first time her father gave her a blueberry bush to tend and nourish when she was just a little girl. Now as a grown woman, Rhoda tends her gardens and tries to help people that best way she knows how to do. She cans various fruits, from blueberries to blackberries, from raspberries to strawberries. She creates her own mulch to fertilize her gardens and they have prospered under her tending. Rhoda has premonitions, possibly a sixth sense, about when things are going to happen or when people are in trouble. She feels the need to help people in need, Amish and English alike, if they are sick or in trouble but this characteristic of Rhoda’s lands her in trouble with the leaders of her community.  She uses the herbs from her garden to help people feel better. In doing so, rumors have spread throughout the community that she is using the herbs to perform witchery and incantations. Regardless whether these rumors are true or not, Rhoda is forced to give up her herbal garden.

Meanwhile over in Harvest Mills, an Amish community about two hours away from Morgansville, Samuel King and his brothers Eli and Jacob are struggling to keep their apple orchard, King’s Orchard, financially afloat. Due to the climate and the infestation of a section of their orchard with insects the orchard is struggling to produce enough fruit to keep the orchard above water financially speaking that is. During this same time period, their sister Leah is going through her rumschpringe, her running around period. Leah struggles with her position in life, where does she belong, in the Amish community or in the English world, two very contrasting lifestyles. Leah goes out partying with her cousin and friends, the partying get out of hand and her cousin and friends desert her and leave her at the party. The party takes place in Morgansville. Leaving the party, Leah struggles to find her bearings and winds up sleeping in Rhoda’s berry garden.

When Rhoda comes outside to tend her garden the next morning, she finds Leah. Rhoda seeks to help Leah and finding out that Leah speaks with an Amish accent she invites Leah into her home. Not knowing who Rhoda is or where she is, Leah isn’t sure about entering the home. Rhoda assures her that it’ll be alright and offers her food and a change of clothing. Leah, not wanting to be seen by her family in her English clothing, takes Rhoda up on her offer of assistance.  After a night of “partying”, Leah’s stomach is a bit queasy and she accepts a cup of licorice-root tea. The medicinal effects of the tea seem to calm her stomach. Rhoda has Leah help her in her garden and converses with her to find out a little bit more about her. Rhoda suggests she use the phone shanty to make a call for someone to come pick her up. While waiting for her ride Rhoda suggest that she go take a bath and a nap.

Samuel arrives to pick up Leah and becomes fascinated by Rhoda’s berry garden. Rhoda shows Samuel her canning area in the cellar. He becomes intrigued by the number of jars she is able to can and the various types of fruit that she cans. He senses that she has a thriving business and asks her several questions about her business.

Samuel and his brothers share the responsibility of King’s Orchard but Samuel feels it is his responsibility to make sure the orchard thrives not just now but for the future as well. They each are responsible for a third of the orchard, nurturing it, keeping pests away but Eli is slack and his third becomes infected making those apples unsalable for eating apples. Knowing this will create a financial loss for the orchard, Samuel seeks out possible solutions to help out the orchard so it won’t lose everything. Remembering how well Rhoda’s garden was growing, Samuel comes up with a plan to entice Rhoda to partner with King’s Orchard, to have her can the “cider” apples and bake pies and other baked goods with the apples that can’t be sold as “eating” apples.

When Samuel first approaches Rhoda about his plan, she is very reluctant. With continued persistence and persuasion, Samuel convinces her daed to have her at least visit the orchard and think about his proposal of partnering with them. She reluctantly agrees to visit the orchard after someone destroys her garden. She is shocked to find out that Samuel has a girlfriend since he never mentioned her at all. She begins to wonder what else he is hiding and isn’t sure if the partnership is a good idea or not. Rhoda thought that there was a spark of attraction between her and Samuel but she guesses that she must have been mistaken.

To find out whether Rhoda is persuaded to partner with Samuel and King’s Orchard or not you must read this book. Ask yourself, what other problems might Rhoda face? What other problems will the orchard face? What possible mysteries need tending to throughout the course of this possible partnership? Is the apple orchard the only are that needs tending or is there a possibility for love the tending of love as well?

These are only a few of the things that you will ponder on while you read and become enthralled in, “A Season for Tending: Amish Vines and Orchards – Book 1”, this extremely captivating story.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publisher. I have not received any compensation, in any manner, for the review of this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading Christian fiction and or Amish fiction.

www.facebook.com/authorcindywoodsmall

http://www.cindywoodsmall.com

 www.waterbrookmultnomah.com

Beatrice and Gus: Ohio State vs. Miami Gameday

Beatrice and Gus: Ohio State vs. Miami Gameday
http://merlincat.blogspot.com/2012/09/ohio-state-vs-miami-gameday.html
Link to photos of my cousins - Beatrice and Gus Watson.

Amish fiction: Put a bonnet on it

Amish fiction: Put a bonnet on it

God's Grace is Sufficient

God's Grace Is Sufficient

The Widow of Saunders Creek by Tracey Bateman

The Widow of Saunders Creek by Tracey Bateman is extremely well written. I found it to be a fascinating read. There are many issues that the author has dealt with throughout the story. From Grief to God's Grace, the characters face issues that they have to decide how to handle them and I was captivated by the process.

The story takes place on the old homestead for the Saunders family. Corrie Saunders inherited the land upon the onset of her husband, Jarrod Saunders' passing. Jarrod's passing was a casualty of the War in Iraq.

Corrie struggles with the loss of her husband. She deals with the process of grieving. She goes through the many cycles of grieving which include denial. She also struggles with the loss by continually wanting to be able to communicate with her late husband.

When Corrie first arrives at the home, which once belonged to Jarrod's grandparents, she thinks she feels Jarrod's presence close by her side. While trying to cope with the loss she proceeds to renovate the home using the help of Jarrod's cousin, Eli Murdock.

Can Corrie get over the loss of her husband? Are there spirits in the old home? Will Corrie ever be able to find love again? Will Corrie be able to trust God to help her overcome the pain and the loss? Will she come to realize that God's Grace is sufficent?

To find out the answers to these questions and to see how Corrie and Eli interact with each other, I wholeheartedly recommend you read "The Widow of Saunders Creek" by Tracey Bateman.


I have received this book for free from the publisher. I have not received any compensation for this review.

http://www.traceybateman.com http://www.facebook.com/tracey.bateman

www.waterbrookpress.com

Today's Daily Ray of Hope

Today's Daily Ray of Hope - This is so beautiful!

Great Grandson of Harvey Martin Watson gets married.

Great Grandson Of Harvey Martin Watson - got married on July 22, 2012 in Riverside, California. David Clyde Wilson, son of Debbie Lynn Waters and great grandson of Harvey and Melvina Watson married Dora I Yrigoyen. David wore his US Marine uniform and the bride was in a beautiful wedding dress. Among those in attendance was his brother, John Thomas Waters III.

 Group picture with the bride and groom, David Clyde Wilson and Dora I Yrigoyen Wilson.

 In the back is the groom's brother John Thomas Waters III

 David Clyde Wilson, Great Grandson of Harvey Martin Watson and Melvina Myrtle Tebo Watson

Outside photo shot of those in the wedding with the bride and groom, 

David Clyde Wilson and Dora I Yrigoyen Wilson

Conflict and Commitment

Conflict and Commitment

Book Review for A Season of Love by Amy Clipston

“A Season of Love” is the fifth book in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series written by Amy Clipston. Your interest becomes captivated and absorbed within the happenings in Bird in Hand, Pennsylvania very easily. I became peaked and consumed very quickly into the story, it made me feel as if I were right there among the community.

The story is filled with various conflicts, emotions, romance and commitment. Life decisions are made but not until after conflict and deliberations are sought and obtained. The story focuses mainly on three young Amish females ready to embark on their futures. Lindsay, an Englisher niece of Daniel and Rebecca Kauffman; Lizzie Anne, who is best friends with Lindsay and Katie and dating Katie’s brother Samuel Kauffman; and Katie Kauffman, niece to Daniel & Kauffman, who works at the Kauffman Bakery with her mammi and helps out when needed with Rebecca during her pregnancy.

Katie begins taking care of Rebecca during her pregnancy while Lindsay is away in Virginia Beach taking care of her Englisher Aunt Trisha. Rebecca has complication during her pregnancy and the doctor has ordered her on complete bed rest. Unable to get out of bed, she enlists the help of Katie to help care for the home and her children. While Katie becomes extremely concerned for Rebecca’s well-being, she feels compelled to write and inform Lindsay of Rebecca’s situation.

During the time in which Lindsay has been away, she has been contemplating whether she belonged in this English world or in the Amish world. Her mother was raised Amish but left the faith when she married her father. When her parents died Lindsay and her sister Jessica came to live with Daniel and Rebecca Kauffman. Their mother was Rebecca’s sister and this was their mother’s wish.

Lindsay enlists the help of Matthew Glick, a good friend from Bird in Hand to pick her up at the bus station and bring her home to surprise her Auntie and Onkel. Lindsay and Matthew later begin seeing each other.

With Lizzie Anne and Lindsay both having beaus, Katie begins to feel that her life is at a standstill while her best friends lives are moving forward. Katie has found any boy within their community which sparks her interest. The only boy that has even captured her interest is a Mennonite boy and he is forbidden to her.

To find out what decisions Lindsay, Lizzie Anne and Katie make regarding their future it is a must to read this book. What troubles will Lindsay have in respects to her decision whether to join the Amish faith or not? Will Katie find love and happiness? How do their problems affect Lizzie Anne? These are all things that you’ll discover once you read “A Season of Love” by Amy Clipston.

For more about this book or author go to the following sites:

 zauthor@zondervan.com

 www.amyclipston.com

 www.zondervan.com

Interview link with Wanda Brunstetter

Like Amish fiction ---follow this link  http://marlaynegiron.blogspot.com/ to read an interview with Amish Fiction author Wanda Brunstetter. Comment & share for a chance to win a copy of her new book The Struggle.

Book Review for "The Harvest of Grace" by Cindy Woodsmall

"The Harvest of Grace" - An Ada's House Novel by Cindy Woodsmall is the third book in the Ada's House Novel Series.
 The book is very captivating and filled with intriguing stories about love, anger, betrayal, trust and forgiveness. It tells the story of how love and trust can be broken, how anger and selfishness can build and reside in individuals, and how trust in God can bring about forgiveness and trust in others. This book reveals how God's love can overcome and break down the barrier walls that people build up to block out the pain and hurt and shows that broken relationships can be restored through the power of God.
The story begins on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania, where Sylvia Fisher lives with her parents and her eight sisters. She interacts in various different ways with each of her family members. Even though she is close with all of her family, she is the closest with her sister, Becki. She can talk so easily with Becki that sometimes they sit up all night talking. Sylvia isn't like most Amish women, she enjoys helping out with the family dairy herd and interested in helping increase the milk production and quality of the herd. Besides working, she enjoys spending time with Elam Smoker but she is unaware that her sister, Becki has been conniving to have Elam for herself. Due to certain circumstance that take place, Sylvia feels that she must leave home. With her dads reluctant permission, she moves to a dairy farm in Dry Lake belonging to Michael and Dora Blank. She begins working for them to help with their dairy herd, to make improvements, and to try to help restore the farms  profitability. 
When she begins working for the Blanks, their only son, Aaron Blank, is away in an alcohol rehabilitation facility known as the Better Path. Aaron returns home with the intentions of trying to convince his parents to sell their farm and move with him to run an appliance store.
Aaron and Sylvia have various conflicts while on the Blank property. Aaron insists on Sylvia having Sundays off as a way to relax and get acquainted with other people instead of trying to constantly work herself into exhaustion. During these times, Sylvia becomes friends with Cara Atwater Moore, Deborah Mast, and Lena Kauffman.
Cara is an Englisher from New York, who flees a stalker and after reading her mother's diary turns up in Dry Lake, Pennsylvania. Cara falls in love with an Amish man named Ephraim Mast, Deborah's brother. Before her and Ephraim can marry she must overcome the obstacles of learning the Pennsylvania Deutch language and be able to follow the rules of the communities Ordnung.
Cara and Deborah Mast help Ada Stotzfus run Ada's House, and Amish bakery and gift shop. Deborah and Ada help Cara learn the Amish way of life. Deborah used to be engaged to Ada's son, Mahlon but he ran out on his family and his community. Deborah is sweet on Jonathon Stoltzfus. Ada is an Amish widow who has eyes for Israel Kauffman. Israel's daughter Lena, lost her teaching position due to conflicts brought up be Michael Blank, who is head of the school noard. Lena is in love with Grey Graber who was once married to Elsie Blank, the daughter of Michael and Dora Blank, before she had an unfortunate accident that took her life.
Each of these couples face their own difficulties and struggle to come to terms and overcome their problems. To find out more about the people in "A Harvest of Grace" by Cindy Woodsmall, you will have to read the book. It is a must read for all who enjoy reading Christian fiction and not just for those who like to read Amish Fiction.


I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
For more on this book and others please see:
     * Cindy's Web Site
     * Follow on Facebook
     * Author Bio


www.cindywoodsmall.com
www.WaterbrookMultnomah.com/
www.facebook.com/authorcindywoodsmall/info

Mighty Hot

Been under severe heat warnings all week long. 102-106+ temperatures with heat indexes over 110 and this is only the beginning of summer. What is the rest of summer gonna be like? Which weather do you prefer - hot summer, cold winters,  or mild year round? Personally,  I prefer mild year round but unfortunately I don't live in the part of the country that had mild weather year round. What's your weather like?

Now mobile

My blog is now mobile so I'll be able to post no matter where I am.

"Doc" Watson

"Doc" Watson playing & singing at the "Doc" Watson Festival in North Carolina. "Doc" Watson sitting next to his statue always with a guitar in his hands. "Doc" Watson will be missed & his music will live on for generations to come. His music appealed to young & old alike. He played with some of the best and he always appreciated his fans.

Interest in book reviews?

I enjoy reading books about Amish fiction and many Christian books. I enjoy researching family history and finding pictures of ancestors. How many enjoy reading and knowing about good books? Let me know and I'll be glad to recommend some. I will post some recommendations I already have soon.