Congratulations person nine…. um…. who is….
BETHANY! YAY.
I was sure it’d be Ms. Paul and I’d have to draw again. (I’m assuming she already has a copy of her own book….)
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the book! I’ll ship it out this week!
Ok! And the winner is….
LINDA!!! YEEEEEEEHAW!
I’ll be zipping that across the ocean this week unless you’d rather I wait for an Argosy for you? (Or, if my proof copy is a good one tomorrow, I could pop that in for you)
Just let me know. I aim to please. This is exciting. I’m getting books outta my house and into readers’ hands! This is the goal.
Holly, your’s will be going out this week too!
And the winner is… commenter number 3 which is……
Drum roll please….
Kirstin! I’ll get it out to you this week with the others I’m about to do/pack/etc.
P.S. On the other hand, I think Challice wanted to read it. Do you mind if she reads it first?
No, I’m not talking about giving myself a facial or a pedicure. I’m not talking about trimming cuticles, sanding rough heels, or waxing eyebrows. I’m talking about giving my home the spa treatment. It’s time it got a little TLC.
This week’s “Wonder Week” on Hearth Keepers is Home Beautification. I got a little excited today and kind of started early. I can’t WAIT to finish.
For my windows…
ta da!
I got the idea from Wives and Daughters. Molly’s room has these lovely sheers that are knotted at the bottom. I love them so I made them. Pssst… it’s a great excuse to watch the movie because it’s a brief scene and I can’t tell you where it is! “Sorry Honey, I know I was supposed to wash your clothes, clean the bathroom, and make dinner today, but you see, I wanted to make curtains for our room and I had to watch four hours of Wives and Daughters to find what they looked like! (Shhh… don’t tell him you saw mine. That kind of kills the point)
Someday (maybe this week) I’ll make the Roman Shades for this window but I’ve got paint and such to handle first. 
Time to make three more for the BIG windows. Yippee!!!
What are you going to do to beautify YOUR house this week?
Note to self: find or buy screw plugs for shelf bracket.
I remember a “Freedom Rally” we had in Noel, Missouri in the ninth grade. Joy Bates recited the Pledge of Allegiance and interspersed it with definitions… It was very enlightening to me. I tried to find the exact one she did and couldn’t. I did find this one that is similar by Red Skelton.
The Pledge of Allegiance explained by Red Skelton
I – - Me; an individual; a committee of one.
Pledge – - Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.
Allegiance – - My love and my devotion.
To the Flag – - Our standard; Old Glory ; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody’s job.
United – - That means that we have all come together.
States – - Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.
And to the Republic – - Republic–a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it’s from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
For which it stands
One Nation – - One Nation–meaning, so blessed by God.
Indivisible – - Incapable of being divided.
With Liberty – - Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one’s own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.
And Justice – - The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.
For All – - For All–which means, boys and girls, it’s as much your country as it is mine.
And now, boys and girls, let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands; one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn’t it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too?
Red Skelton
In addition to that… there is this thing my friend Julie posted on her facebook notes.
Written in 1917 and accepted by the House in April 1918, this piece was the winner of a writing contest designed to encouraged patriotism after the US had entered the First World War.
“I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.”
I know that America is not the only country on the planet. I know that other people are just as patriotic and love their countries just as deeply. However, while I sit here in my American home, I praise the Lord that He’s given me a home here in the land of the free and the Brave.
I love our system of government. It grieves me to see Americans tossing our heritage aside in an attempt to “ape” other countries. We don’t need to create our own system of socialism in order to see that it doesn’t work. Watching the world’s systems of taxation and nationalized health care shows people on waiting lists for simple procedures and an amazing number coming to America instead. Why are we trying to recreate what has already proven to fail.
Freedom is precious. However, due to peer pressure and concern for “looking” politically correct rather than serving the best interests of our nation and our freedoms, we’re about to toss aside more of our freedoms in order to “look good” to the United Nations. A treaty, in our system of government, supersedes our constitution. If the UN Treaty on the Rights of the Child is passed, parental rights will be tossed down the governmental drain. No longer will parents be able to decide if being held back or advanced to the next grade based upon their knowledge of their child’s strengths and weaknesses is the right decision. No, now the collective thoughts of whomever, in addition to the child’s wishes will suddenly replace parental decisions. Never fear, however, you’ll still be responsible for those decisions made for you. It’s the best of both worlds. You get all the work done for you and if it fails, never fear! They’ll blame you. If the ‘collective’ decides that ten year olds need to be allowed freedom of sexual expression, forget parental concerns of the physical, psychological, spiritual, and emotional ramifications of that decision, the parents’ hands will be tied.
Do I think that extreme scenarios like that will be the norm? No. Frankly, I don’t. Not in my lifetime anyway. However, I do believe that the unlikelihood of something being used as an extreme is not sufficient reason to reject it. The fact is, once passed, our hands are tied. Once we accept this kind of international governmental intrusion into our families, America as we know it, is gone. Our ancestors already wouldn’t recognize this country. Less than one hundred years ago, income tax as we know it didn’t exist. The originators of our current welfare system, less than fifty years ago, wouldn’t recognize what has happened to it. Twenty years ago, the intrusion into our privacy thanks to the recent “Patriot Act” would have caused an uproar in almost every segment of society.
I am seriously afraid that instead of celebrating America’s Birthday, we’re very close to metaphorically celebrating her retirement.
Title: A Gathering of Finches
Author: Jane Kirkpatrick
Publisher’s Synopsis: Based on historical characters and events, A Gathering of Finches tells the story of a turn-of-the-century Oregon coastal couple and the consequences of their choices, as seen through the eyes of the wife, her sister, and her Indian maid. Along the way, the reader will discover reasons to trust that money and possessions can’t buy happiness or forgiveness, nor permit us to escape the consequences of our choices. The story emphasizes the message that real meaning is found in the relationships we nurture and in living our lives in obedience to God.
Wow. Where do I begin. I didn’t know how I’d like the book when it arrived. It looked interesting, but because of the unusual beginning, I expected to love or hate it. Instead, I developed a love/hate relationship with the main character Cassie. She has all of the spunk and vivacity of an amazing main character, and yet she’s stubborn, irascible, and so very lost– seeking that which will never fulfil her. I found myself wanting to scream at her in nearly every chapter, “You’re making your own misery, woman!”
The most amazing part of this story is that it is a fictionalized true story. Cassie Stearns Simpson was a real woman. This larger-than-life character was real and did many of the very things written about in this book. I found it difficult to read the story and I’ll give away the book if I’m not careful. Suffice it to say, she made many terrible and selfish choices that affected her life until the day she died. Her life was dedicated to “doing her own thing” and without the help or sanction of the Lord.
The author leaves us with the impression that near the end of her life she finally surrendered to the Lord (the book is kind of a fictionalized biography so it starts at the birth of her adulthood and carries you through to her death). I like how the author was careful to leave it as an impression and a hope rather than tell the reader what they might want to hear or leave us with the despair of a life wasted. She balanced Christian hope with probability and left us trusting that the Lord alone knows and He cares far more than we ever could.
It wasn’t an easy read. It wasn’t a happy story, and yet it wasn’t morose. It was real. In this age of an almost insatiable thirst for realness… reality… this book gives it all with a healthy reminder that just because something is real, doesn’t mean it is right.
I never thought I’d read a book that so thoroughly dealt with the topics depicted in this story and not feel sullied or tainted by them, but Mrs. Kirkpatrick managed to do it with a sincerity that only an excellent writer can manage. Five stars on this one. I can’t recommend it enough, however, if you’re looking for fluff… keep on looking.
Giving this book away. I have drawings to do and ship for already so I’m making this one short. You’ve got until 9:00 p.m. PST Sunday so that I can ship everything waiting to go out on Monday.
Well, today was an interesting day. I created my July blog banner and eagerly ran over to look and see how it looked. The cool picture that looked so neat on istock looked hideous on my banner. Three istock credits wasted. I’m so dish-illusioned (name that movie.) So I sat and stared for a bit and then realized that I should be using some of the amazing digi-scrap elements and papers that I have. Of course, this is July and in this month we celebrate my birthday and the birthday of our country. I don’t have any Americana digi-scrap elements. Uh oh!
Off I ran to Google them. My brilliant friend Kim informed me that the best way to find what I want is to look for forums where people have asked. So I go do that. Nada. However, being a kind as well as brilliant friend, she pulled up a pile of suggestions for me and I hurried over to Sweet Shoppe Designs to see what I could see. And LOOK what I found! Isn’t it coolified???
The designer is Dani Mogstad and I love quite a bit of her things. I like how she provides enough to do a clean look but not so simple that it is boring either. It seemed to have a nice balance to me.
An interesting thing I found, however, is that designing on a 720×180 pixel canvas is much more difficult than a 12×12 inch page! MUCH more difficult! However, it’ll be good for me. I don’t usually have trouble making pages that I like. Most others might find them sparse or aesthetically unappealing but for me, I like them and that’s good, right? Gulp. Well, I’m finding that doing this banner was harder so I think I’m going to make this a regular thing each month. It’ll challenge my creativity and every year on my birthday I can do a blog post showing how I’ve grown, matured, and improved as a “scrapper” in the blog banner design realm. Snort.
In addition to that, I’m going to showcase the work of the designer(s) whose elements and papers I use. What a fun way to give them a ‘thumbs up’ for all their hard work. Do visit their shoppes. See what they have to offer… splurge and buy a kit or three. But after you do, USE IT. Don’t just file it away for ‘later’… grab a few pictures from your memory card and DO somethign with it. Your family will thank you one day. Forget that, YOU’ll thank you one day.
Outside my window… I watch clouds and smile at the shapes they make in the sky.
I am thinking… that it’s good to be alive and not completely sick.
From the learning rooms… We’re making plans and changes for next year’s schooling.
I am thankful for… swimming pools… and exercise. Yes. I. Am.
From the kitchen… is the scent of roast, potatoes baking, green beans, and strawberry shortcake.
I am wearing … tan crops and a blue top with a slight cowl.
I am reading… A Gathering of Finches by Jane Kirkpatrick
I am hoping… that Braelyn and Kaylene are having a lot of fun in San Diego.
I am creating… CD sleeves and yarn wraps.
I am praying… for strength to clean the house.
Around the house… I see a lot of clutter and mess and blech.
One of my favorite things… watching Lorna learn to swim.
A few plans for the rest of the week… Enjoy my school planning time.
A picture to share… My new workout center…
Title: A Promise for Breanna
Author: Al Lacy
Publisher’s Synopsis: The Angel of Mercy series follows the adventures of certified medical nurse Breanna Baylor as she seeks to serve her fellow man and restore her relationship with her true love-John Stranger of the Journeys of the Stranger series-in the post-Civil War West. A Promise for Breanna finds the heroine face to face with Frank Miller, the man who once broke her heart and led her to mistrust men, sabotaging her relationship with John Stranger. Suspense, danger, romance, and spiritual truth each play a part in this compelling story that draws readers into the life of an angel of mercy.
As popular as Al Lacy is, I’ve never read anything by him before this book. From what I understand, this is the introductory book in a splinter series from one of Mr. Lacy’s other series.
I’ll be brutally honest, I rolled my eyes way too much in the beginning of this book. At the risk of sounding like an impossible to please twit, I think Mr. Lacy needs to stick to writing action and back off the romance. While the story, once it got started anyway, is engaging, interesting, and full of scenarios that are not only plausible but exciting, the romance left much to be desired. If I never read another line that makes me want to break out in My Darling Clementine, it’ll be much too soon.
The exception was a character that I’d love to read more about. Rip Clayson’s romance was real, readable, and refreshingly free of obnoxious endearments, and repeated dream scenes left over from silent films (can you say Don Lockwood from Singing in the Rain? I love you, I love you, I love you…. no wait, that’s too free from the sappy drivel I had to endure). The sweet romance between Rip and his young woman (won’t give away by giving her name) was so realistic that it’s hard to imagine that both were written by the same man. Our heroine receives a– oh wait. Let me quote the scene you get to read so many times…
“Oh John! I love you, I love you! I made such a horrible mistake that day in Wichita when I sent you out of my life. I knew it before you were even out of sight, but it was too late. Please forgive me, John! Oh I’ve prayed so long and so hard that the Lord would bring you to me so I could tell you how sorry I am and how very much I love you! I’ve been so–”
John’s forefinger was on her lips. “Hush, darling. You don’t have to do this. All that matters is that I know you love me as I love you… that we can have each other. There’s nothing to forgive.”
I won’t go on… Well, honestly, I can’t. How can a man write a story about gunslingers, gamblers, plucky women who brave the wilds of the west in their quest to reach California, spunky nurses who will do anything to save a life– including fighting in Indian raids and take on a lustful chief… How can a man who in one section gives you a genuine tender moment between two dear people, turn around and nauseate you with drivel like that up there. It’s in the book at least three times… I’m pretty sure it’s there more than four. The same words. Every. Time. Blessedly, she’s awakened a few times cutting it short.
My only other objection is the evangelism our heroine does. I don’t object to the idea… I’m quite fond of evangelism myself. However, aside from certain theological issues, the conversation is rushed, stilted, and the conclusions are a bit too “sanitary” for lack of better words. In my experience in discussing salvation with the unsaved, you don’t just tell them Jesus loves them a few times and the people suddenly “get it”. His conversion scenes with Curly were much better than the others in the book, but honestly, it left a lot to be desired.
I feel horrible writing this. I mean, when I first started reading, I told my friend, “I feel like an arrogant jerk, but I’m a better writer than this guy. How is he so popular?” Well, having gotten into the book, I can see how. Al Lacy creates characters that come alive on the page. You can see their nose wrinkle with distaste, their eyes sparkle with amusement, and their personalities shine throughout the stories. I like who he writes about (and I’m pretty sure he didn’t end a sentence in a preposition!). I also liked his plot. It was truly interesting– much to my surprise to tell the truth. I just think perhaps it’d be better if he left out most of the romance and had a few conversations with people uninterested in Jesus. Talk to them… listen to them… see what makes them reach and reject. I have a feeling those scenes would become as alive and interesting as girls taken hostage at gunpoint. Oh that was probably my most favorite scene of all.
Finally, there is one scene that tugged at my heart in a way that no other scenes did or ever could. There’s an Indian raid… we don’t see that one, thankfully, but when the wagon train comes upon it after fire and bloodshed, a man finds a young girl… in bushes… alongside a river… and she has hazel eyes. On top of that, this story takes place in Wyoming. They mentioin Fort Bridger… Just like the song Dad used to sing about California Joe.
…You’ve all heard tell of Bridger
I used to ride with Jim.
And many a hard day’s scouting
I’ve done by the side of him.
Well once near old Fort Reno
A trapper used to dwell
We called him old Pap Reynolds
The scouts all knew him well
One night in the spring of fifty
We camped on Powder River
We killed a calf of buffalo
And cooked a slice of liver
While eating well contented
WE heard three shots or four
Put out the fires and listened
… We heard a dozen more.
To save was our desire.
Too late the painted heathens (please no offended PC comments… this is from the 1800’s)
Had set the house on fire.
We unhitched our horses quickly
And waded up the stream
While close beside the water’s edge
I heard a muffled scream
And there among the bushes
A little girl did lie
I picked her up and whispered
I’ll save you or I’ll die…
…One month had flown and Maggie
We called her hazel eyes…
Can I recommend the book unreservedly? No. Am I sorry I read it? Again, no. I started reading this book praying about how I’d review it. I don’t want to write a review that says, “this is drivel; don’t bother,” but neither do I want to lie and pretend to like something I didn’t. So, absolute honesty here. If you can ignore a little bad evangelizing and over dramatized romancing, get the book. The story, aside from my previous caveats, is really a fascinating piece of fiction… and I don’t generally like “Westerns.” His characters alone are well worth the time you’ll spend reading it.
And… in the continual spirit of funness… I’m giving this copy to one of the commenters! (and I have 2 others to ship so if you’re waiting for a book from me, sorry!!! I’ve been ill!) Just leave a comment and I’ll draw names sometime next weekend.
Purchase at istockphoto.com
We’ve all done it. We’ve given someone a gift certificate, cash, or check and said, “now you can’t use this for bills…”
Forgive me if I’ve ever done it to you. It isn’t a gift if the strings attached strangle the recipient. I will never again be a part of a gift that limits the recipient in how it is used. I’m grieved to see what should be a blessing become a burden because of the expectations of others. I know we have our dreams and goals and ideals that we want for others, but those are our dreams, our goals, our desires… it’s wrong to insist that others be like us in how they use our gifts.
Mom and Dad were so good about never attaching strings to gifts. They made it clear: if you give a gift, the second it’s out of your hands, it is no longer your business. You have no say in where they display it, how they use it, or what they do with it. They can give it away, abuse it, destroy it, sell it, or toss it in the garbage. They can spend the cash you gave for a nice meal out on groceries, the vet bill, or orange and green pantyhose. It’s none of your business the second it leaves your possession.
Being a gracious giver is just as important as being a gracious recipient. So please, before you give a gift, when you snip off the price tag, cut the strings too.
