Building a Cabin, log by log..

A friend of mine in Texas saw some of my quilt photos, and as we were talking about them, she made the comment about them being pretty. Now, if you have read the post I did about the Drive By Quilting with Ricky Tims a week or two ago, you know my " quilters self esteem " is sorely lacking at times.. So when I just blurted out to Lisa that I would love to make her/ her hubby a quilt, it just seemed so spontaneous , and I grew excited. Yes, a little hesitant at what I could do for their bed - later finding it to be KING sized bed. ( oh my!).. Anyway, the more she looked at my photos, the more I started wondering what am I going to make with what scraps I have here.. Came right down to it, I would do a Log Cabin quilt.. Simple.. not to.. I am directionally challenged with the whole 90 degree thing unless I am paying close attention to where I need to turn the fabric.. But, hey, doing pretty well, because I have a total of 5 already done today.. not bad for me at all!

Heres the first photo of the first log thats building a Home for Lisa, and her hubby Jeff... I will take a photo along the way possibly so you can see how scraps of fabric can build a home..

What?? Eat my Peas?

As a kid, I hated peas.. I heard " EAT YOUR PEAS" more often than I ever thought I would want to. Then my kids came along, and I heard myself saying, " Eat Your Peas ".. more often than they wanted to.

This short, and very delightful book, " a 3-minute forever book ", called " Eat Your Peas - Faithfully - Simple truths and Happy insights " with words written by Cheryl Karpen ,

really just brings out the best of a smile on a day that needs a pick me up.. This book, with close to 40 pages, is written in gentle, flowing typography, with brief, but poweful insights,and bible verses scattered on various pages.
This book helps to move someone from a doldrum sort of day, into a day where it's easier to see that " peas" are the better part of a dreary day, which when reading it in one sitting, gave me a pick me up simply by the gentle colors on the pages.

From the front cover, with its scroll work centered around the tiltle , to the inside pages, sprinkled with inspirational thoughts, a feeling good book is what you will find. Great for a special pick me up book for someone needing encouragement, or even a good , sit down book if you need a break from those dreaded " dreary days" where nothing seems to bring out a smile..

I recieved this book free from Thomas Nelson, Publising, as part of the Book Sneeze blogging program. I gave my honest review in participation.

The Bridge of Peace

In recieving the book, " The Bridge of Peace" written by author, Cindy Woodsmall, I looked forward to reading yet another fiction read with the Amish flavor, if you will. I have read others , not by this author, but similar " feel " to each story line.. Clean, captivating, and interesting in the useage of the english language, versus the Amish Language.

Never have read any of Cindy Woodsmall's writiing,this book grabbed my attention and can keep me spellbound throughout most of the book. Some of the characters tugged at my heart as I began " seeing " them in my minds eye :

Lena , an Amish schoolteacher who is having serious problems with a " scholar" as the Amish call their students. She faces struggles with this boy/ man whose respect is clearly not taught , and not shown to those in authority.

" Grey ", whose character is struggling in a troubled and loveless marriage, while Deborah grieves deeply over the pain filled desertion of the man she thought she loved.

Cara, whose life is being changed from the Englishscher point of view, to the Amish as she falls in love with a man whose life is much different than her own.

The Bridge of Peace is a book that in my thinking , incorporates events in life as an Amish person, but also as what we are called, " Englishers"..

The book touches on relationships gone sour, mental illness, and how it can keep someone in confusion. There are self esteem issues, and insecurities one feels as the result of one's physical appearance. This part of the book stood out more so for me, because I, too, have birthmarks, and physical scars that often times I try to hide behind. to be honest, reading of Lena's struggle, made me think just how often I do try to hide the scars I have, because I have not accepted them for what they are - Trophies of Grace, and Scars of Beauty.

I did feel parts of the story dragged whenever the focus was on Lena, which was odd as she was the focus of the book, itself.

This is one of those books that I had a hard time putting down , although the ending was as predictable in the Amish sense of the word.
It was still interesting to see how the characters played out in the end, though.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through their blogging program. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own view of the book.

"A Conversation with God "

A Conversation with God ( for Women ) by author, Marcia Ford,
arrived in my mailbox, and eager to begin reading another new book, I settled into my chair, with this " pretty covered" book in hand. Knowing what the premise of the book was going to be, I did not expect it to be what it was - a book of questions, and answers in a personal, yet engaging format..

No stuffy preaching in answering the various questions, and topics that were lined up. Questions under each section which someone might ask if seeking answers to lifes " spiritual " thinking that we all , at one point in time, ask God.

Topics, such as God, Jesus, The Bible, Relationships .. areas of women's lives that sometimes might stump us ,in understanding the role God has in our lives as women, as well as our responses in how we understand them.

The thing that caught my attention , and remained as part of my attention was how the author used 55 questions in a personal format. Just as if I was sitting, and conversing with Jesus Himself. There were over 50 questions addressed in this well formatted book, and if I had to say one thing about it, I would say it would be a book for personal thoughts, and because of the outline in the back with the written out verses, those that might not pick up a bible, might tend to read the Word of God, even if it was in type..

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
A Conversation with God for Women allows readers a one-on-one dialogue with God, Jesus, and other important biblical characters as they respond to questions and concerns relevant to the Christian faith.