tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56925326354533840632024-03-05T00:21:44.274-06:00CARLA’S WRITING CAFÉWriting. Reading. Connecting.carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.comBlogger420125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-53392718119617661622012-02-09T18:24:00.001-06:002012-02-09T18:29:41.431-06:00Carla's Writing Cafe Has Moved! Come Join Me at the New Place!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.carlastewart.com/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlkNJfCUtti7uuS5kiL2kbHkypeA8VvqyRbwBfYC1B11EkB1pe35Lrt2g8EeXHrVfxDHGt-U1Oo6oMY81niLT6NUafj1NeND_braSbHR9NYS4h1sm3KiC1Xtp_314_TkIVmAfiMkwYHvDo/s640/Moved+Picture.jpeg.tiff" width="420" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hi there! If you've come here for the Cafe, please know that EVERYTHING has been transferred to the new site! All the blog posts. All the pics that have gone up here over the past 4 1/2 years. You can even search for specific words over at the new place, too! To celebrate the grand opening, I'll have giveaways throughout the month of February. What's not to love? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Come over to <a href="http://www.carlastewart.com/">"Those Were The Days" </a>and take a tour. Let me know what you think! This blog will remain as is, but will no longer be updated after today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks. See you there! </div>carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-19845483161690372242012-02-05T23:24:00.000-06:002012-02-05T23:24:11.768-06:00Cyber Friends, A Sweet Blog Award, and An Announcement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNy1NMXeWy9JTVbVlf20IXW1gRutQfLgVdLZRirqzdEoz9kjWcGtWGd44Is6d29skaAndteKLEa7u3JY1gNQvG_3392eGhyRyoUawCLPnB0vteF84WelAfis7mttZnNRdcUm2jYsTs2k3/s1600/Sweetest+Blog+Award.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNy1NMXeWy9JTVbVlf20IXW1gRutQfLgVdLZRirqzdEoz9kjWcGtWGd44Is6d29skaAndteKLEa7u3JY1gNQvG_3392eGhyRyoUawCLPnB0vteF84WelAfis7mttZnNRdcUm2jYsTs2k3/s1600/Sweetest+Blog+Award.png" /></a></div>This week my cyber friend who stops in here at the cafe on a regular basis, nominated me for an award - The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award. Thanks, <a href="http://tracyruckman.blogspot.com/2012/02/irresistibly-sweet-and-seven-random.html">Tracy Ruckman</a>! You've been an encouragement to me, and I'm honored that you thought of me.<br />
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The "rules" that go along with the award are that I need to name ten other blogs for the award and then write seven random things about myself. So this becomes a sort of "chain award" like the old chain letter, only you don't get thirty thousand dollars or recipes in your inbox. What you do get is get the satisfaction of passing the love along. I like that. We should encourage one another. <br />
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Where I get hung up is picking only ten. Which ten? The ten who will play along or the ten who really need a boost here in the deep dark of winter? Or the ten bloggers who have it all together and make a significant contribution to the blogosphere? Or the ten who have beautifully designed sites that give you blog-envy? You understand my dilemma then?<br />
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So, I'm going to bend the rules. As a matter of fact, I'm going to salute bloggers everywhere - the good, the bad, the sweet, the sarcastic, the beautiful, the stragglers. This I do by giving seven random thoughts about blogging and at the end, a special announcement.<br />
<ul><li>It is guesstimated that there are more than 100 million blogs out there. Personal blogs. Corporate blogs. Topic blogs. Hybrids (combining two or more types). Suffice it to say that if you are blogging and people are finding your blog, you are very special. And you deserve the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award. </li>
<li>By blogging, you are investing your time and energy to share what you know. Whether you write about how to plant a garden, weave yarn into a rug, or write a book, you are sharing a part of yourself, a knowledge that is uniquely yours. You are generous and deserve the Award. </li>
<li> If you are sharing personal journey stories, you are opening up a window into your soul. Your vulnerability is to be admired. Please take the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award and make it your own. </li>
<li>If you view life through a quirky lens and can make people laugh with your words, please don't quit blogging. The world needs more people like you. The Award is yours! </li>
<li>Have you ever read a blog and sighed because the words were so beautiful or the message so poignant that you were inspired to be a better person, to try harder, to be more patient. You know the kinds of stories I'm talking about. Bless you who can inspire others. The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award was designed with you in mind. </li>
<li>Much of the craft that I've learned about writing has come from blogs - either a special tip or a resource that sent me in the right direction. I cannot imagine writing without the research tools at our fingertips through the internet and niche blogs. I'm grateful to those who share tips, who give directions, who've brought hope and inspiration to me every day. A double helping of the Award to you. </li>
<li>As promised, I said I'd end this with an announcement. I'll preface that by saying that nearly every blog out there is in transformation - it's not the same today as it was in the beginning. That's the beauty of blogging. It's a learn as you go process. So, Carla's Writing Cafe is also in the process of transformation. Within the next couple of weeks, this page will be integrated into a NEW and EXCITING new webiste - everything under one domain name. Carla's Writing Cafe will remain in place, but will no longer be updated when the new site is ready. </li>
</ul>It's almost bittersweet that the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award comes to the Cafe now since we're hanging a "Moved" sign on the window, but you'll want to be on the lookout - I'll be celebrating the move with some fantastic book giveaways and other goodies. And if that's not a sweet deal, I don't know what is.carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-13731836532199424272012-01-25T22:46:00.000-06:002012-01-25T22:46:03.381-06:00A Time to PlayI'm always a little flummoxed when it comes time to share about the Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Weekend. So many emotions intertwine over the course of three days that it's difficult to sum it up in a few words. With this year's circus theme, though, every time my mind drifts back to that little town in East Texas, I can't help but smile. We did have fun, didn't we? So rather than tell you about it, I'll let you judge for yourself. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFPzkR__xLl3g9erArIVl86QYQKWzZfIzTfDw8beq4xsNGPAnNeQAnTOUbj8776mhTvJv52ESrd1GxHO0jje-2C-a9OgFPgMj793_KLWWTrbsQH7nQPYU_ltSoz6E3TR72EKsQla24gDe/s1600/DSC00248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFPzkR__xLl3g9erArIVl86QYQKWzZfIzTfDw8beq4xsNGPAnNeQAnTOUbj8776mhTvJv52ESrd1GxHO0jje-2C-a9OgFPgMj793_KLWWTrbsQH7nQPYU_ltSoz6E3TR72EKsQla24gDe/s320/DSC00248.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Authors Eleanor Brown and Stephanie McAfee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vvhOIZ3evsTWqr7U_eJ47MllUV_2PQSR0PQQl8rlI20w-sV_yxt_tgqG_fsjd_cAGM80OQ4_UAa1IuuPWrGGwT95nmoPc8H_e7U-8vWJY2TAbpg0jPcsJCRKVWX9x1OA5ljGuVCBDo4j/s1600/DSC00258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vvhOIZ3evsTWqr7U_eJ47MllUV_2PQSR0PQQl8rlI20w-sV_yxt_tgqG_fsjd_cAGM80OQ4_UAa1IuuPWrGGwT95nmoPc8H_e7U-8vWJY2TAbpg0jPcsJCRKVWX9x1OA5ljGuVCBDo4j/s320/DSC00258.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Authors Carolyn Leavitt, Margaret Dilloway, & Karen Harrington</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0MoRoW2ns02B6leXGi1sNwsdc3zVyDIsKK5ZUsNf4eLzLR1NRyZ8BEkq6KWLzbU_c0Bp-CQLvCN39JLhXlhBL5-EzpaNHei56K1q_mMNpiRcnxcsEVjuWDL2XGmZCUQycOoOm7OP6TuB/s1600/DSC00259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0MoRoW2ns02B6leXGi1sNwsdc3zVyDIsKK5ZUsNf4eLzLR1NRyZ8BEkq6KWLzbU_c0Bp-CQLvCN39JLhXlhBL5-EzpaNHei56K1q_mMNpiRcnxcsEVjuWDL2XGmZCUQycOoOm7OP6TuB/s320/DSC00259.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Book Club members from Mr. Pleasant, TX</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FMkXVTK9pTGIyNWGmJsjpeiAOGDf1M4O_1O1VD9PmlJZABa4qmpoOtcAZS49iVGtFSiyz1hxM_19kbqvJjwfVMxIRS87QHu66nR4174gKnomzzMGPvuRJOwsynnxfz_g_pkgGPQr8Fy-/s1600/DSC00271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FMkXVTK9pTGIyNWGmJsjpeiAOGDf1M4O_1O1VD9PmlJZABa4qmpoOtcAZS49iVGtFSiyz1hxM_19kbqvJjwfVMxIRS87QHu66nR4174gKnomzzMGPvuRJOwsynnxfz_g_pkgGPQr8Fy-/s320/DSC00271.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny Wingfield of MAN IN THE MOON fame! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzfinrNGF1KCJ2NpL1icFpud6I5yAAIgQvBP0IcHQ1y8xlQ7-ZDPX37KbtA1rl9XV_CHpmFBVjFi6tTRyq2OW5N96MiPd5TJTyAGOuT4eu6X78pC_5wRsdppEYEBboZuhN5tvxfc07ME8/s1600/DSC00277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzfinrNGF1KCJ2NpL1icFpud6I5yAAIgQvBP0IcHQ1y8xlQ7-ZDPX37KbtA1rl9XV_CHpmFBVjFi6tTRyq2OW5N96MiPd5TJTyAGOuT4eu6X78pC_5wRsdppEYEBboZuhN5tvxfc07ME8/s320/DSC00277.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtney Walsh painted this picture for me to put in the Silent Auction which benefitted the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. THANKS, Courtney!!!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1M_vF2WQoJqKWUfEwpUqQTPb7U2HhpH9T5-Pt6VpVSJJsslfcSLypocKPhPlfd8Od4vG0lHByKrZrD1oqQeQ6J5jhS37G-oZYLNvm0i8Vqq4V1eB6rhR8Xid59jqEOnyi9Fmu7-nxglL/s1600/DSC00300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1M_vF2WQoJqKWUfEwpUqQTPb7U2HhpH9T5-Pt6VpVSJJsslfcSLypocKPhPlfd8Od4vG0lHByKrZrD1oqQeQ6J5jhS37G-oZYLNvm0i8Vqq4V1eB6rhR8Xid59jqEOnyi9Fmu7-nxglL/s320/DSC00300.JPG" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Housemates from the DELTA STREET INN ready to head to the circus.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRC7r0HQWTA8L4onWoNQXrmA5DboeFHW3YSyZ-Xx3BGOd7UBmQUiwNe0dE4Vy44qKvufVFBtlQNkefpD0c3dlue0JH6FVoQgU_XoS9zOnooVLAzo_RVpjmW3ZQ7zl1NsyNhUY9oL5zw6MG/s1600/DSC03182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRC7r0HQWTA8L4onWoNQXrmA5DboeFHW3YSyZ-Xx3BGOd7UBmQUiwNe0dE4Vy44qKvufVFBtlQNkefpD0c3dlue0JH6FVoQgU_XoS9zOnooVLAzo_RVpjmW3ZQ7zl1NsyNhUY9oL5zw6MG/s320/DSC03182.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book Signing with fellow panelists. Stephanie McAfee, Eleanor Brown, Me, Rebecca Rasmussen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW9Uh67vdAp0ZiYv0d0befTRkduhOA-HWqzKzgnJG6iMSaDnVvNUFCwV1fe7syS81qUHPXdLWQroqV1PUS9Q8dTSkRFQIF5Jqb_D1kwtDFQLkjpfOuruBXqmKq7WWyXfE5TqgzODcMGMf/s1600/DSC03190_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW9Uh67vdAp0ZiYv0d0befTRkduhOA-HWqzKzgnJG6iMSaDnVvNUFCwV1fe7syS81qUHPXdLWQroqV1PUS9Q8dTSkRFQIF5Jqb_D1kwtDFQLkjpfOuruBXqmKq7WWyXfE5TqgzODcMGMf/s320/DSC03190_2.JPG" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PROM night! Karen Harrington is an amazing lady and author! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinue3cZ_R2VeTjpe9lXzkEV2iL5mwu88tS9_8V7U15XqryqRckrNHkX-b99FYinWeUGtgxzzNwNt8Nn4AS0UGMvl0lbLZm21JoDy7SZtPYP78WpLPigfJGKohRQOMO9bRAMqSq0uwaP8Qn/s1600/DSC03200_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinue3cZ_R2VeTjpe9lXzkEV2iL5mwu88tS9_8V7U15XqryqRckrNHkX-b99FYinWeUGtgxzzNwNt8Nn4AS0UGMvl0lbLZm21JoDy7SZtPYP78WpLPigfJGKohRQOMO9bRAMqSq0uwaP8Qn/s320/DSC03200_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabulous Authors Nicole Seitz, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, Lisa Wingate, and Marybeth Whalen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt3F-swKV0hMPbQXJsg4XiV0DNFoo2O3RMw0QC_Aj96GbQR_irxpGhAd_gLlQBw6NINaRbP2EcAQ5I6aiuBMD86M0U2RNCcrnMlt-oHvd2iN2WeBoh6SqNk-0T7GR_Fijjyfx__GwpeCJ/s1600/DSC03207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt3F-swKV0hMPbQXJsg4XiV0DNFoo2O3RMw0QC_Aj96GbQR_irxpGhAd_gLlQBw6NINaRbP2EcAQ5I6aiuBMD86M0U2RNCcrnMlt-oHvd2iN2WeBoh6SqNk-0T7GR_Fijjyfx__GwpeCJ/s320/DSC03207.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comparing footware with Marcia Fine - the coolest gal from Arizona you'll ever meet! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95BFyVdnnwMfzBWldLCLmYk-kcp6eAabIur3MJHsPR7Wvyo-43VEv_N75ETIdRVBJ5H0Ckb3PDSwtEaoKX8_7QZWUsp6Wwu-2TOKJxDqvO3R2cex4Jy1q3sB2i2Lry78Q2sfaWb2NZDkj/s1600/DSC03258_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh95BFyVdnnwMfzBWldLCLmYk-kcp6eAabIur3MJHsPR7Wvyo-43VEv_N75ETIdRVBJ5H0Ckb3PDSwtEaoKX8_7QZWUsp6Wwu-2TOKJxDqvO3R2cex4Jy1q3sB2i2Lry78Q2sfaWb2NZDkj/s320/DSC03258_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HEAD Pulpwood Queen Kathy Patrick - lovely as always. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimngxRPXIjKyBwRz5zC9owpyu6_p4Aq6k9K4ZL8Wf8xNCJI_3zfefPxWDp95v8QVWv5us64N1HJdL7oEZZdQy9pO1rjkA311UpzZ_T2NU0gvq2Az3sWLarzI1bPjpfhXEDALrjr-QC11Mi/s1600/DSC03263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimngxRPXIjKyBwRz5zC9owpyu6_p4Aq6k9K4ZL8Wf8xNCJI_3zfefPxWDp95v8QVWv5us64N1HJdL7oEZZdQy9pO1rjkA311UpzZ_T2NU0gvq2Az3sWLarzI1bPjpfhXEDALrjr-QC11Mi/s320/DSC03263.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun Times at the Circus! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyGF2PhX9AsI8V7sooyCiJ68Dy4mqocEo6W6HA7KhMHPgSYiRE58zQ9JzygPCL80_TQhBNGXNAD-v1jJhNy8krXeK-UpWy563Gvk-9DoqVAj5ejbU_8b_uJLi_mIMhHGfAXM7FmEWiMj6/s1600/DSC03282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyGF2PhX9AsI8V7sooyCiJ68Dy4mqocEo6W6HA7KhMHPgSYiRE58zQ9JzygPCL80_TQhBNGXNAD-v1jJhNy8krXeK-UpWy563Gvk-9DoqVAj5ejbU_8b_uJLi_mIMhHGfAXM7FmEWiMj6/s320/DSC03282.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't these the cutest clowns you've ever seen? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevmpF68DIRHbJ8wLK-u7vThxPgSYtok1l1vMIR1ZvwYaGurQwH4dk97nsdHGAlCzXd_jjl3NL44Oo1abJ3dBbIlF94c-5oNVlYfuQ39dhiLd_5_ehUDdKnUY5yuc1AHFBjyYA22gisuY_/s1600/DSC03285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevmpF68DIRHbJ8wLK-u7vThxPgSYtok1l1vMIR1ZvwYaGurQwH4dk97nsdHGAlCzXd_jjl3NL44Oo1abJ3dBbIlF94c-5oNVlYfuQ39dhiLd_5_ehUDdKnUY5yuc1AHFBjyYA22gisuY_/s320/DSC03285.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Purple Leopard Clowns - so fun! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiak12ws4at-ss3oC9jx_dR4WJ_B6fn4DcPLUfhYVyDo468_t4LvY-7zm9KetChar3IEekixDlEUnLctD7na9LYWtdQ-BN2KhT1JAPguWmhsBj0WM83gTHel3UxdlacqfcfDXjQcVLtGHB0/s1600/DSC03311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiak12ws4at-ss3oC9jx_dR4WJ_B6fn4DcPLUfhYVyDo468_t4LvY-7zm9KetChar3IEekixDlEUnLctD7na9LYWtdQ-BN2KhT1JAPguWmhsBj0WM83gTHel3UxdlacqfcfDXjQcVLtGHB0/s320/DSC03311.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group from Eureka, Kansas</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC02YKGupgegXWFuJRGJ1LtN5l2Bl1lgEQpjS1MtnHqRCuDVnqKCem-YEshJwdNnXwygTaCkTY5Ncyr-YerRxHhtFIRlRAtgTI_H67I4iW7mASSwpn4Z5W8Wc9R-IEyZ3DfbTFKUeemS6-/s1600/DSC03294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC02YKGupgegXWFuJRGJ1LtN5l2Bl1lgEQpjS1MtnHqRCuDVnqKCem-YEshJwdNnXwygTaCkTY5Ncyr-YerRxHhtFIRlRAtgTI_H67I4iW7mASSwpn4Z5W8Wc9R-IEyZ3DfbTFKUeemS6-/s320/DSC03294.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author group that won FIRST Place for their portrayal of THE NIGHT CIRCUS</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnux9o1HRkA-MLkyRMiQ0aRr4i5XfW9QBAIpkmrYHzpcznWmTbKn1vVeRIv-6Psx85OH6UhXNFVneM1hw0EEbLywvnT2Tx7-z0BFNROZco8vzGAwgRGpUfA9pZig2bOPTjhPt7JXZ_85NI/s1600/DSC03334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnux9o1HRkA-MLkyRMiQ0aRr4i5XfW9QBAIpkmrYHzpcznWmTbKn1vVeRIv-6Psx85OH6UhXNFVneM1hw0EEbLywvnT2Tx7-z0BFNROZco8vzGAwgRGpUfA9pZig2bOPTjhPt7JXZ_85NI/s320/DSC03334.JPG" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New friends from Dallas area. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Can you see my dilemma? Too many things to describe and this is only a tiny portion of the weekend! There were 50 authors, 300 bookclub members, a bookstore, a former soap opera star, Hollywood peeps, more than a few NYT Best Selling authors, and more.<br />
<br />
One of the more poignant parts of the weekend was the emphasis on literacy and the fantastic job Kathy Patrick does in generating enthusiasm among the 525 Pulpwood Queen Book Clubs to promote literacy and books. But that's a post for another time.<br />
<br />
We had joy. We had fun. We acted silly. We went to the circus.<br />
<br />
When was the last time you did something silly? Or laughed until you cried? If it's been awhile, then maybe you need to think about going to Girlfriend Weekend in Jefferson, Texas next year! See you there!carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-63668607702579011662012-01-19T23:24:00.000-06:002012-01-19T23:24:23.590-06:00Don Reid of The Statler Brothers has new book - THE MULLIGANS OF MT. JEFFERSONI've been a fan of the Statler Brothers ever since "Flowers on the Wall" and have been to a LOT of their concerts. I've grown older right along with them. A couple of years ago I learned that Don was writing books, and I did a little cheer - I feel like we've both pursued our writing passions when our other obligations have come to an end. He, too, writes about the mysteries of life and how God shines through some people more than others. Good going, Don! <br />
<br />
This has nothing to do with his new book, which is featured below, but I found this on YouTube and thought you might enjoy it. It's my all-time favorite Statler Brother song, and this particular recording is with the original tenor, Lew DeWitt. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/d8CGgL9ITmE" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
And now the book information:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/143476494X">The Mulligans of Mt Jefferson</a></span></div><center><br />
</center><center>David C. Cook (January 1, 2012)</center> <center>by</center> <center><span style="color: #006600; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.donreid.net/">Don Reid</a></span></center> <br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfPyC7V19M45pRTdjYsotiMfOSakfWFrYu1y1kMF4Z785gYqvwOLQNtw3iioMrmGT6Q6urHoCA8HTghpmsMCsFnll0X0Rg9JZNs8dULxJ0e9O241ewMoeE1B5dFi4KxDrz2ON-dpwLsfc/s1600/Don+Reid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfPyC7V19M45pRTdjYsotiMfOSakfWFrYu1y1kMF4Z785gYqvwOLQNtw3iioMrmGT6Q6urHoCA8HTghpmsMCsFnll0X0Rg9JZNs8dULxJ0e9O241ewMoeE1B5dFi4KxDrz2ON-dpwLsfc/s200/Don+Reid.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>Don is one of the original members of the STATLER BROTHERS, the most award-winning act in the history of country music. He and his brother and two friends began singing in their hometown of Staunton, Virginia when Don was only fourteen years old. Working all over their home and neighboring states as a part time group, they were discovered in 1964 by Johnny Cash and given their first record contract. By the time Don was 20 years old, the STATLERS had their first major, world-wide hit record with FLOWERS ON THE WALL, which started a string of hits that generated a career in the music industry that lasted for four decades. The STATLERS have been recipients of multiple industry awards:<br />
<br />
It wasn’t until the STATLER BROTHERS decided to retire from traveling in 2002 that Don pursued his writing career to another level. Having songwriting and scriptwriting under his belt, the next obvious step was to write a book. And that book was the scripture based HEROES AND OUTLAWS OF THE BIBLE published in June of 2002 by New Leaf Press. He has since written two other non-fiction books and in 2008 saw another dream come true for Don when he released his first novel, O LITTLE TOWN. Novel number two came in the form of ONE LANE BRIDGE, and THE MULLIGANS OF MT. JEFFERSON, is a sequel to O LITTLE TOWN. <br />
<br />
Don is the father of two sons. Debo and his wife, Julie, and daughters Sela Mae and Adra, live within a stone’s throw. You may have seen Debo’s name on many songs written with Don on albums over the years. <br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-SQRfPt1SfYfdgzH4tGV4jbqqUkicHDqXfjGfCZrozriOru3HCkd_j2SRO1k2tzX1ecj9uMEqgz6DKR1G6mLNgcQHfj5p_kH_qNQzx6hnUJzW15VS3ibT0Wxn76zd23pQKz_xjo_0SRd/s1600/Mulligans_of_Mt_Jefferson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-SQRfPt1SfYfdgzH4tGV4jbqqUkicHDqXfjGfCZrozriOru3HCkd_j2SRO1k2tzX1ecj9uMEqgz6DKR1G6mLNgcQHfj5p_kH_qNQzx6hnUJzW15VS3ibT0Wxn76zd23pQKz_xjo_0SRd/s200/Mulligans_of_Mt_Jefferson.jpg" width="128" /></a></div>Cal, Harlan, and Buddy grow up together in a small Virginia town in the years before the second World War. United by age, proximity, and temperament, they get into—and out of—all the trouble that boys manage to find. They even earn a nickname from a local restaurateur who gives the boys their first jobs and plenty of friendly advice. “Uncle” Vic calls them the Mulligans, because they always seem to find a way through a thicket of trouble—family problems, girls, college, war—to success. Cal and Harlan and Buddy have been blessed with second chances.<br />
<br />
Now it’s 1959, and police lieutenant Buddy receives an early-morning phone call: his friend Harlan, a store owner, has been shot in a break-in. Cal, now a preacher, meets Buddy at the hospital, and together, as professionals and as friends, they begin to unravel what might have happened to Harlan.<br />
<br />
If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/143476494X">The Mulligans of Mt Jefferson</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2012/01/mulligans-of-mt-jefferson.html">HERE</a>.carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-40803118671345996662012-01-11T18:13:00.001-06:002012-01-11T21:47:12.725-06:00I'm running away with the circus!The lure of the bigtop awaits. The lights! The colors! The carny barkers and wild animal acts. The strange. The beautiful. The magnificent. I'm so excited I'm about to pop! <br />
<br />
THE GREATEST BOOK SHOW ON EARTH in Jefferson, Texas kicks off tomorrow with the Clown Alley Author Dinner. The annual <a href="http://beautyandthebook.com/blog/girlfriend-weekend-12th-anniversary/">Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Weekend</a> is hosted by Kathy Patrick - the queen of books, hair, literacy efforts, and now - THE CIRCUS!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left; width: 420px;"><br />
<a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank"></a><br />
The official program of Girlfriend Weekend 2012. <br />
<a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank"></a></div></div><br />
This is the twelvth anniversary of Girlfriend Weekend, but only my second year to attend. I've been looking forward to it since the drive home last year. Some of the highlights on the program this year: <br />
<ul><li>Tina Sloan (long running star of <i>The Guiding Light</i>) presenting part of her one-woman show <i>Changing Shoes</i>. </li>
</ul><ul><li>Deeanne Gist will be doing her BOTTOMS UP show featuring an intimate look at a Victorian woman's undergarments. </li>
</ul><ul><li>Keynote Speaker John Berendt, author of <i>My Baby Blue Jays</i> and <i>Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. </i></li>
</ul><ul><li>Jenny Wingfield, author and film and television writer of <i>The Man in the Moon</i> fame. </li>
</ul><ul><li>Elaine Clark, radio voice-over star who will speak on <i>There's Money Where Your Mouth Is.</i> </li>
</ul><br />
In addition, a slew of fantastic authors will speak on panels all day Friday and Saturday with evening shows unparalleled on this side of the earth - Pretty in Pink Prom Night and The Great Big Ball of Hair with live music and more fun than is legal in the great state of Texas. <br />
<br />
The real stars, though, are the book club members who hail from all over the US - delightful readers who've become friends. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSJhbUbe7BnoPah205HKNj6ZKhdfHTsqDOuY_92Om0Q_69pPdhmxOsPh9A3pwuQmc6Y-oPeZjB11D0XEaJJFb5OgGKYh7fsyVKoQcxKLBzl7kVB5Ijmnu0E5lOQf_wxVwlfXNL4QJVhZw/s1600/168676_181372458562312_166978900001668_460146_5902228_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSJhbUbe7BnoPah205HKNj6ZKhdfHTsqDOuY_92Om0Q_69pPdhmxOsPh9A3pwuQmc6Y-oPeZjB11D0XEaJJFb5OgGKYh7fsyVKoQcxKLBzl7kVB5Ijmnu0E5lOQf_wxVwlfXNL4QJVhZw/s400/168676_181372458562312_166978900001668_460146_5902228_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Author Servers at the 2011 Author Dinner to kick things off on Thursday evening.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Don't you wish you were running away with me???? My costumes are ready, and I can't wait. I'll be back next week with loads of pics and the full report.carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-13540597438430483492012-01-09T10:47:00.001-06:002012-01-09T17:15:34.450-06:00Dale Cramer up on CFBA with The Captive Heart<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div><br />
<center><a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></center> <center><span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></center> <center><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/076420839X">The Captive Heart</a></span></center> <center>Bethany House (January 1, 2012)</center> <center>by</center> <center><span style="color: #006600; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.dalecramer.com/">Dale Cramer</a></span></center> <br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</span></b> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttnjYfSNvH8J4ChLrzSAe4OYWXsAT7bTQcZIDn0B4TKtzlwkxQ_EdbPD1Zy0b4WWTIgYMOpGe_Kum6BlqUzEx4RVWvVFNuY_js_6gMGY_2AOIvrVWofu5dkvtsAifBWFB9fyi1NIthyzq/s1600/dalecramer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttnjYfSNvH8J4ChLrzSAe4OYWXsAT7bTQcZIDn0B4TKtzlwkxQ_EdbPD1Zy0b4WWTIgYMOpGe_Kum6BlqUzEx4RVWvVFNuY_js_6gMGY_2AOIvrVWofu5dkvtsAifBWFB9fyi1NIthyzq/s200/dalecramer1.jpg" width="140" /></a></div>Dale Cramer spent his formative years traveling the world as an Army brat, then settled in Georgia at the age of fifteen when his father retired.<br />
<br />
After high school he became an electrician, a job that took him to places as diverse as power plants, stadia, airports, high-rise office buildings and a hard-rock mining operation.<br />
<br />
Twenty-five years of experiences in the trades provided him with the wealth of characters, stories and insights that populate his novels.<br />
<br />
When he married his childhood friend, Pam, in 1975 he had no way of knowing they would not have children until fifteen years later.<br />
<br />
In his early forties, when Dale left his job to become a stay-at-home dad, he suddenly found himself with time on his hands, so he pursued a lifelong dream and taught himself to write.<br />
<br />
Using an online writer’s forum as a training ground, he wrote his first short stories in 1996. As his writing skills improved he turned to novels, publishing his first book, <i>Sutter’s Cross</i>, in 2003.<br />
<br />
Since then, Dale has published four more novels and garnered a measure of critical acclaim with two Christy Awards, a listing among <i>Publisher’s Weekly</i>’s Best Books of 2004 and numerous other Best lists. Dale and his wife Pam live in Georgia with their two sons. <br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKVIVFR5PXOnmNt8_a1d8Lm0lYGbRxHjW5lUjR0dLl9-RU7gwELZpGjbAvRjxkmOf8KG3tWWVVBsvNic2zNZfXNclVCGlm5hynzBey_XcT99Ik0Kr4HFIVtDj8W7MZVTfLs3-HJkj6yuh/s1600/Captive_Heart_The.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKVIVFR5PXOnmNt8_a1d8Lm0lYGbRxHjW5lUjR0dLl9-RU7gwELZpGjbAvRjxkmOf8KG3tWWVVBsvNic2zNZfXNclVCGlm5hynzBey_XcT99Ik0Kr4HFIVtDj8W7MZVTfLs3-HJkj6yuh/s200/Captive_Heart_The.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>Bandit troubles intensify as Caleb Bender's family tries to settle into their new life in 1920s Paradise Valley. When El Pantera kidnaps Rachel and leaves her brother, Aaron, for dead, Jake Weaver and the Mexican native Domingo pursue the bandit leader to his mountain stronghold in a hopeless rescue attempt. Jake and Domingo manage to escape with Rachel, with the bandits hot on their trail. In a desperate attempt to avoid recapture, Domingo puts himself squarely in harm's way, giving Jake and Rachel time to get away. This is not the quiet life Caleb Bender envisioned when he led his family out of Ohio. What is a father to make of his daughter's obvious affection for a man outside the fold? And how will a pacifist Amishman like Caleb respond to the events that threaten his family and their way of life? <br />
<br />
If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/076420839X">The Captive Heart</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2012/01/captive-heart.html">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">BONUS:</span> My friend Camille Eide did a four part, in-depth interview with Dale Cramer. To learn more about his Amish background, the writing of this series, and get a glimpse of his wonderful sense of humor, please visit the Word Serve Water Cooler. <br />
<a href="http://wordservewatercooler.com/2012/01/04/interview-with-w-dale-cramer-author-part-1/">Part One</a><br />
<a href="http://wordservewatercooler.com/2012/01/05/interview-with-author-w-dale-cramer-continues-part-2/">Part Two</a><br />
<a href="http://wordservewatercooler.com/2012/01/06/interview-with-w-dale-cramer-continues-part-3/">Part Three</a><br />
<a href="http://wordservewatercooler.com/2012/01/07/interview-with-w-dale-cramer-of%20concludes-part-4/">Part Four</a> <br />
You can also read Camille's review of The Captive Heart <a href="http://camilleeide.blogspot.com/2011/12/captive-heart-w-dale-cramer-2012.html">here</a>.carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-26625586439726016502012-01-03T22:28:00.000-06:002012-01-03T22:28:44.655-06:00My Reading List for 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyBRkzYmQvRw2mDHYRsTu_xC5Lk-2zFQdL4ZceYdVOP3RzSukZ2iT6Jur-N7P65Eo8RIaoqSJIYzSzIKLT0f5oZP-RnPpmvpcu6mhb27COhDnxOuryvJG_MAS1LlYGCI55VYHPckMeHEh/s1600/DSC03016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyBRkzYmQvRw2mDHYRsTu_xC5Lk-2zFQdL4ZceYdVOP3RzSukZ2iT6Jur-N7P65Eo8RIaoqSJIYzSzIKLT0f5oZP-RnPpmvpcu6mhb27COhDnxOuryvJG_MAS1LlYGCI55VYHPckMeHEh/s320/DSC03016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When I was a kid, when we put more on our plate than we could eat, my dad would say, "Guess your eyes are bigger than your stomach." That's the way I feel when I survey my bookshelf and plan what books to move to the top of my reading list. I want to read them ALL! And I want to re-read my favorites. So making a list is an exercise in delusions of grandeur. Although I desperately want to devour them all, I have to narrow it down to a few dozen choices, knowing that there will be new releases and "hot" books hitting the bookstore shelves again this year. And that one-click button on Amazon is sooooo easy. <br />
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So this list is a loose outline of what I hope to read in the next twelve months, words that will nourish my spirit, give me a laugh or two, and prod me to be a better writer myself. <br />
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<ul><li><i>When Sparrows Fall</i> by Meg Moseley (I've already started this one and am loving it)</li>
</ul><ul><li><i>The Bungalow</i> by Sarah Jio </li>
</ul><ul><li><i>Half Broke Horses</i> by Jeannette Walls (on last year's list - didn't get to it)</li>
</ul><ul><li><i>There You'll Find Me</i> by Jenny B. Jones </li>
</ul><ul><li><i>From This Day Forward</i> by Margaret Daley</li>
</ul><ul><li><i>Forgotten Garden</i> by Kate Morton (also one I didn't get to last year)</li>
</ul><ul><li><i>The Girl Who Chased The Moon</i> and <i>Garden Spells</i> by Sarah Addison Allen (recommended by a friend whose literary taste I trust) </li>
</ul><ul><li><i>Mother of Pearl</i> by Kellie Gilbert (will have to wait as this is a September release)</li>
</ul><ul><li><i>Lilacs in Bloom</i> and <i>The Daughter's Walk</i> by Jane Kirkpatrick </li>
</ul><br />
These are the books I have or know about. Charles Martin has a new one coming out and will likely move to the top of the pile the minute I get my hands on it. I also have three of Elizabeth Berg's books that I want to sink into - I love her voice and lovely stories. <br />
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I also want to revisit my Anne Tyler collection - I'm thinking <i>The Accidental Tourist</i> and <i>Back When We Were Grownups</i>. It's been too long since I've enjoyed one of her books. <br />
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Now for a fun surprise: <br />
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What books were on the NYT Bestsellers List on this week in January, 1952?<br />
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No. 1 - <i>The Caine Mutiny</i> by Herman Wouk<br />
No. 8 - <i>From Here to Eternity</i> by James Jones<br />
No. 12 - <i>The Catcher in the Rye</i> by JD Salinger <br />
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Sixty years and these are still beloved. Classics, I suppose, by now. I'll think I'll add <i>The Catcher in the Rye</i> to my 2012 list. <br />
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How do you choose what books you want to read? Friend recommendations? Best-seller lists? Classics? Do you ever read books more than once? <br />
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2012 is off to a great start! What's the first book you want to read?carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-60695107453067291892011-12-29T23:45:00.001-06:002011-12-30T08:53:11.228-06:00The Best Reads of 2011What a great year for books! Unfortunately, it wasn't a great year for time to read all the books I wanted. The year started off with my going to the <a href="http://beautyandthebook.com/blog/girlfriend-weekend-12th-anniversary/">Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Weekend </a>in Jefferson, TX. There I was introduced to many new (to me) authors which added to my already leaning pile of books-I-want-to-read-before-I-die. <br />
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Writing, editing, and marketing took a big chunk of my reading time in the middle part of the year, but I've finished strong and read some darned good books the last few month. Before I get to that, I have to tell you about a new and interesting twist to my author life - I was asked to read a number of books for endorsement - that pithy little blurb that appears sometimes on the cover or in the flyleaf at the front of a book. What an honor . . . and a responsibility. You can either gush and sound really silly or try out some sixty-four dollar words and sound stuffy or you can give a brief but lively blurb that pulls out the strengths of the book. Luckily, for me, this was easy as all the books I was asked to read only added to my literary enjoyment this year.<br />
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So to start things off, these are the authors and their books that I've endorsed this year: <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-Dreams-Come-Colorado-Runaway/dp/0736928073/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325221363&sr=1-1">When All My Dreams Come True</a> by <a href="http://janellemowery.com/">Janelle Mowery</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reinventing-Leona-ebook/dp/B0057Z87IK/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325221499&sr=1-1-spell">Reinventing Leona</a> by <a href="http://lynnegentry.com/">Lynne Gentry</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reclaiming-Lily-Patti-Lacy/dp/0764209418/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325221588&sr=1-1">Reclaiming Lily</a> by <a href="http://pattilacy.com/">Patti Lacy</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Savannas-Gift-Holiday-Extravaganza-ebook/dp/B006G3YF6K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325221675&sr=1-1">Savanna's Gift</a> by <a href="http://www.camilleeide.com/">Camille Eide</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wish-You-Were-Here-Novel/dp/1451659865/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325221991&sr=1-1-fkmr2">Wish You Were Here</a> by Beth K. Vogt (2012 release)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/SWEETHAVEN-SUMMER-COURTNEY-WALSH/dp/0824945190/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325222160&sr=1-1">A Sweethaven Summer</a> by <a href="http://www.courtneywalsh.typepad.com/">Courtney Walsh</a> (2012 release)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Road-Jennifer-AlLee/dp/1426713126/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325222309&sr=1-1">The Mother Road</a> by <a href="http://jenniferalleesite.blogspot.com/">Jennifer AlLee</a> (2012 release) <br />
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Such a privilege to read these heart-warming stories. The one thing they all had in common was the unique voice that each author brought to the book. <br />
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Now, on to the Best of List. I sometimes do a top five in two or three categories, but this year my reading took me far and wide so I'm going to do like they do on the televised awards shows and invent categories to suit my needs. <br />
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<div style="color: #990000;"><b>Best Memoir: </b></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sanctuary-Outcasts-Memoir-P-S/dp/0061351636/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1325219295&sr=1-1">In the Sanctuary of Outcasts</a> by Neil White <br />
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<div style="color: #990000;"><b>Best Novel Set in England: </b></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Major-Pettigrews-Last-Stand-Novel/dp/0812981227/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325219587&sr=1-1">Major Pettigrew's Last Stand</a> by Helen Simonson<br />
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<div style="color: #990000;"><b>Best Novel Set in the South: </b></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Georgia-Bottoms-Novel-Mark-Childress/dp/0316033049/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325219756&sr=1-1">Georgia Bottoms</a> by Mark Childress - Absurd and Hilarious! <br />
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<div style="color: #990000;"><b>Best Literary Novel: </b></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Violets-March-Novel-Sarah-Jio/dp/0452297036/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325219945&sr=1-1">The Violets of March</a> by Sarah Jio<br />
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<div style="color: #990000;"><b>Best Novel from CBA (Christian Booksellers Association): </b></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sweetest-Thing-Elizabeth-Musser/dp/0764208314/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325220238&sr=1-3">The Sweetest Thing</a> by Elizabeth Musser <br />
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Two-Way Tie for Second Place: <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Skies-Tomorrow-Novel-Wings/dp/0800734238/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325220323&sr=1-1">Blue Skies Tomorrow</a> by Sarah Sundin<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sound-Among-Trees-Novel/dp/0307458857/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325220394&sr=1-1">A Sound Among the Trees</a> by Susan Meissner <br />
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<div style="color: #990000;"><b>Best Christan Debut: </b></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wings-Dream-Anne-Mateer/dp/0764209035/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325220454&sr=1-1">Wings of a Dream</a> by Anne Mateer <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidVmGp-TdahtPk9M4xzhx-cvowF7cl48YZ-Q-Lt0VCUptDtFA2QUb6qvVqaFTtdyNVY74JAocSSul4R5ziNh4IDSvaQl0KALdGE6RGdb0cxUpJEc1iwNNNVfS2KnkedqKvwreUkI-Gbhf/s1600/51eQvANUsnL._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidVmGp-TdahtPk9M4xzhx-cvowF7cl48YZ-Q-Lt0VCUptDtFA2QUb6qvVqaFTtdyNVY74JAocSSul4R5ziNh4IDSvaQl0KALdGE6RGdb0cxUpJEc1iwNNNVfS2KnkedqKvwreUkI-Gbhf/s320/51eQvANUsnL._BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000;">OVERALL BEST BOOK</span></b>: Remember what I said about that huge pile of books. The best book I read this year is one that's been gathering dust for a couple of years, the one I'd heard great things about but never seemed to pull out and read. Although it has a 2007 pub date, 2011 was the year I discovered it, and everything I've ever heard about this book was true. Gritty. Mesmerizing. Heart-wrenching. The writing is unlike anything you've ever read. The characters and the story will wind around your heart and squeeze until you think you can't breathe. The impression will not go easily away. A teaser: I will never see or hear an accordion again without thinking of my choice for Best Book of 2011 - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375842209/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325220866&sr=1-1">The Book Thief</a> by Markus Zusak.<br />
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It will most likely be read again in 2012.<br />
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How about you? Are you familiar with these authors or these books? See anything interesting? It was an eclectic year for me, and that's just the way I like it!<br />
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Happy New Year! I'll be back next week to tell you about the books I'm looking forward to in 2012.carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-86138492805246388212011-12-09T23:29:00.000-06:002011-12-09T23:29:52.426-06:00Giveaways and Christmas Wisdom You Can UseWriting friends are amazing! Today I'm sending you to a couple of hot spots on the web so you can judge for yourself. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu1_k1pVx3fCJgMsCwGWUoqxd5lB0MPfM9tX7RegOAnK2JejVtIpMjhKirDGMEQIwMWLXDUlmPY6A7SNBg-YP_7u-bvI6oBmomTMTNciiTZ6Jx2fUkvQjeJh7Vdr6wsxJ55B9hj939ScY/s1600/DSC00064_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyu1_k1pVx3fCJgMsCwGWUoqxd5lB0MPfM9tX7RegOAnK2JejVtIpMjhKirDGMEQIwMWLXDUlmPY6A7SNBg-YP_7u-bvI6oBmomTMTNciiTZ6Jx2fUkvQjeJh7Vdr6wsxJ55B9hj939ScY/s320/DSC00064_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtney and I with "our" agent in the middle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Dear, dear friend, <a href="http://courtneywalsh.typepad.com/telling_stories/2011/12/handmade-holiday-giveawayfor-the-creative-in-your-life.html">Courtney Walsh</a>, is giving away stuff, and I mean LOTS of stuff on her blog this week and next. Today is a multi-gift giveaway for the creative soul, and she's giving away Broken Wings and a jazzy 3 CD-set of Harry Connick, Jr. and several scrapbooking lovers items, including the scrapbooking book she authored. Like I said, very cool. Look for her other giveaways coming up too!<br />
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<a href="http://courtneywalsh.typepad.com/telling_stories/2011/12/handmade-holiday-giveawayfor-the-creative-in-your-life.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Courtney's Blog</span> </a><br />
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My friend <a href="http://www.judychristie.com/">Judy Christie</a> is a prolific novelists AND writes non-fiction AND she has the most wonderful sense of humor. She's a joy to be around and has some great advice from her new book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hurry-Less-Worry-Christmas-Holiday/dp/142674210X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323494556&sr=1-1"><b><i>Hurry Less, Worry Less, at Christmas</i></b></a> which she shared on <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.inspireafire.com/hurry-less-worry-less-this-christmas/">Inspire A Fire</a></span>. You'll love this! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhew0F95WRaFEQ4_VI9mL7Mhut7tJYmvrKBjrZmBYLuOYNM8pg3AsvPZ2tvi8uTjdC_HZuoMoZxLsCCwAnZfImI6Q8ELx45X25fuhWGfqfPagff-VaZTQyuWhxo4QcCypU2Jn5IWX-hQDNX/s1600/Hurry+Less+Book+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhew0F95WRaFEQ4_VI9mL7Mhut7tJYmvrKBjrZmBYLuOYNM8pg3AsvPZ2tvi8uTjdC_HZuoMoZxLsCCwAnZfImI6Q8ELx45X25fuhWGfqfPagff-VaZTQyuWhxo4QcCypU2Jn5IWX-hQDNX/s320/Hurry+Less+Book+Cover.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />
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I'm trying to be more intentional this year and did a minimal amount of decorating, but I did set out the nativity sets. I love the simplicity of this one.<br />
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Have a great weekend!carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-31520868347620391102011-12-04T22:46:00.000-06:002011-12-04T22:46:48.349-06:00Book Giveaway WinnersThank you, readers for the many comments on the posts for <a href="http://www.alicewisler.com/">Alice Wisler's</a> <b><i>A Wedding Invitation</i></b> and for my "thank you" giveaway for the choice of either of my books. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Ta-Da! The winner of <b><i>A Wedding Invitation </i></b>is Deb's Desk. Enjoy! <br />
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Cheryl Barker and Seashore Mary (love that name!) were the lucky winners of my post and have both chosen to receive <i><b>Broken Wings.</b></i> <br />
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Much appreciation to all of you for stopping by. If you didn't win, there's still time to get copies of all three books for Christmas giving. Click on title to take you to the spot where you can do that. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Lilacs-Novel-Carla-Stewart/dp/B005B1K9TA/ref=pd_sim_b_1">Chasing Lilacs</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446556564/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_g14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1WTBQ9X6S242D78WKSFQ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846">Broken Wings</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Invitation-Alice-J-Wisler/dp/0764207334/ref=tmm_pap_title_0">A Wedding Invitation</a></div><br />
In other news, this lovely <a href="http://thedabblingmum.blogspot.com/2011/11/broken-wings-review.html">review</a> of <i><b>Broken Wings</b></i> from <a href="http://thedabblingmum.blogspot.com/2011/11/broken-wings-review.html">TheDabblingMum</a> came to my attention last week. There are no words for the gratitude that comes when someone takes the time to express such poignant feelings about a book. Thank you, Alyice, for the review, and thank you readers for making what I do such a pleasure.carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-85151221612110852242011-11-30T01:03:00.000-06:002011-11-30T01:03:21.045-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 30<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 30. </span></div><br />
It's been a fun month, hasn't it? I've enjoyed spending time each day thinking of things for which I'm thankful. Family, friends, writing colleagues, and you, my readers. Thanks for sharing the journey with me.<br />
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As the month closes, it's time to look ahead, not back, so I'm heading into December with anticipation of the greatest birthday the world has known.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">"Come, Immanuel, Come." </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGMXjoxxIphbPeuZfUh9vu8-k1It1l7WTFjpPubyWre8gjx-0f6_V4fz6IpH9ZyI9oJPYvXykv3Am-BCtEqNKj__p0cbeIwsbBsWVB6iAWHtqIC4JxdwhApDakF1CuBmVv7DcmeeSJb8p/s1600/MPj03848810000%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGMXjoxxIphbPeuZfUh9vu8-k1It1l7WTFjpPubyWre8gjx-0f6_V4fz6IpH9ZyI9oJPYvXykv3Am-BCtEqNKj__p0cbeIwsbBsWVB6iAWHtqIC4JxdwhApDakF1CuBmVv7DcmeeSJb8p/s320/MPj03848810000%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-8066993552837387532011-11-29T00:05:00.004-06:002011-11-29T08:46:55.666-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 29<div class="" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 29. A Sweet Deal for You.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr8lkxDhthBqeZ6pXosZoPePuGAqNlYpzx9QHZkfN8DPp0uEakuZb2vMPR5Jw9_3Ax7tXXWSgTH1oBAVwpkuV6VIF2xvADqXWU8fuOwKRfG-jsz_mokYTDg8uaAm0_oilzrDsK7n2HtGf/s1600/round+christmas+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr8lkxDhthBqeZ6pXosZoPePuGAqNlYpzx9QHZkfN8DPp0uEakuZb2vMPR5Jw9_3Ax7tXXWSgTH1oBAVwpkuV6VIF2xvADqXWU8fuOwKRfG-jsz_mokYTDg8uaAm0_oilzrDsK7n2HtGf/s320/round+christmas+cookies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>While writing is a solitary endeavor, many people are involved into the process of a completed novel – agents, editors, copy editors, art departments, publicists, and one of the most crucial in my opinion – critique partners. These are the brave souls who see the ugly parts of our stories, all the dangling participles, misplaced modifiers, goofy and illogical ideas, and atrocious spelling. Finding critique partners who understand your vision and are able to slap you around one minute and offer cyber hugs the next are more precious than rubies. They must be tough on the outside and marshmallowy on the inside. <br />
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I’ve been fortunate to have a few critique partners who’ve shaped my work and encouraged me along the way. I’m eternally grateful as these ladies have also become dear friends. But the joy of being a crit buddy is that we are also able to celebrate the successes of one another.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQaqz18dgnle5G_YIattnY9_Jv2K2-zRKjwpkD5eYqxKX9UHV4h2pp2dzGhZdzdUOCaFWK_AfegRwjGxKykNLFiPsQM0hsRLzoqSV7tM-t5auWYPvmPkZ3R1IohMwlWTn1CC_C89O6Um8/s1600/SavannasGift_w5166_680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQaqz18dgnle5G_YIattnY9_Jv2K2-zRKjwpkD5eYqxKX9UHV4h2pp2dzGhZdzdUOCaFWK_AfegRwjGxKykNLFiPsQM0hsRLzoqSV7tM-t5auWYPvmPkZ3R1IohMwlWTn1CC_C89O6Um8/s320/SavannasGift_w5166_680.jpg" width="189" /></a><br />
One of my best critique buddies is <a href="http://www.camilleeide.com/">Camille Eide</a>. She's smart, savvy, and funny, and I’m as proud as a new momma that her first novella is releasing in just four days! It’s a lovely story (I’ve had the pleasure of reading and endorsing this enchanted Christmas tale). So for today I’m going to send you over to <a href="http://camilleeide.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-cookie-exchange-christmas.html">Camille’s blog</a> where she has some fun things going on – a Christmas cookie recipe exchange and a chance to win a copy of her “baby” – <b><i><a href="http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/savanna-s-gift">Savanna’s Gift</a> </i></b>– an e-book just in time for Christmas. And you’ll get to meet Camille, too, who’s as lovely and witty as her blog. <br />
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See you tomorrow for Day 30 of Thanksgiving.carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-30590821370939950592011-11-28T00:05:00.002-06:002011-11-28T00:05:00.319-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 28<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 28. </span></div><br />
A frost is in the air. Most of the turkey is gone. ALL of the pie is gone (thank goodness for that!). The house is quiet. All is calm. And I’m thankful for the relaxed Thanksgiving we've had with two of our sons and their families. We enjoyed eating (of course), watching football, playing cards in the kitchen, and doing a jigsaw puzzle in the dining room. <br />
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I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed sitting around a table, sorting puzzle pieces by color, elbowing each other looking for just the right piece. It’s a sort of being together that we don’t do much of anymore, and you know I’ve missed that. With our iPads and data phones and laptops, I wonder if we’ve forgotten how to just “be” with one another. No agenda. No volume controls. No clock to watch. And you can get up from the table and meander off to do something else for awhile or stretch your legs. And when you come back with a cuppa something warm, someone will have added a few new pieces and you settle in for another session, heads together, bent over looking for an elusive piece or giving a little hoo-rah when you find it. And always toward the end, the pieces start flying into place and you joke about who will get to put in the last piece. Being the grownups we were, we let one of the grandkids have the esteemed honor. <br />
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I’m thankful for the reminder of simpler times, of the pleasure of doing a jigsaw puzzle. And because I enjoyed it so much, I’ve added “get a new puzzle” to the Christmas list. Actually, I can’t wait. <br />
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How about you? Were there any reminders of the past from your Thanksgiving weekend? What family activities did your family enjoy?carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-90311237564309323852011-11-27T00:05:00.001-06:002011-11-27T00:05:00.786-06:00Day 27. The Letter Z. <br />
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Today I’m thankful for the one who is my constant muse and companion. She gives unconditional love with no strings attached, unless you count the daily ritual of an after-dinner treat. I’m never lonely or truly alone with my faithful pup at my side. I can’t imagine a world without animals or my home without this sweet girl – <span style="font-size: large;">Z</span>elda.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_VZm66K-2hKJgtMbL2ZZ0-pO2joZ-6jMaaGAIdRaXTX3Tr8zEA2WqWJtvW1eBPpgps1MH0i2sCTup_BsSRdTVQxY1lj8A30LuvK9-MZtx7ziTK8g23EBqqqfYtZhU8t1_E2mOXDOWTYa/s1600/2002+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_VZm66K-2hKJgtMbL2ZZ0-pO2joZ-6jMaaGAIdRaXTX3Tr8zEA2WqWJtvW1eBPpgps1MH0i2sCTup_BsSRdTVQxY1lj8A30LuvK9-MZtx7ziTK8g23EBqqqfYtZhU8t1_E2mOXDOWTYa/s320/2002+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a puppy almost 8 years ago</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zelda today, still loved and adored. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-44687867976498493032011-11-26T00:05:00.002-06:002011-11-26T00:05:00.108-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 26<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 26. The Letter Y for You, my readers! </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVozmv8Gp8HDrtBmL9RWfcM1BtSJl0vpMOfkZ1cTuyv4Sd2DsUM3iReA5vZtXpE0-YysFpBVVc8OHprSnPhwyz2qRzn8UlBIv7g7tMsfs_YTtsycqvuXThoE01pd793d4qYGCv5XSI9iJ/s1600/Read+books+that+you+enjoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVozmv8Gp8HDrtBmL9RWfcM1BtSJl0vpMOfkZ1cTuyv4Sd2DsUM3iReA5vZtXpE0-YysFpBVVc8OHprSnPhwyz2qRzn8UlBIv7g7tMsfs_YTtsycqvuXThoE01pd793d4qYGCv5XSI9iJ/s320/Read+books+that+you+enjoy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If you have read one of my books, thank you. <br />
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If you have attended one of my book launches or book signings, I appreciate the time you took from your busy life to celebrate with me. <br />
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If you have written a review and posted it on your blog or online, thank you for sharing your insights and your gift of words. <br />
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If you’ve read my blog, been friends with me on Facebook, have liked my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/carlastewartauthor">Facebook author page</a>, or followed me on <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/ChasingLilacs">Twitter</a>, thanks for hanging out and spending your days with me. <br />
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If you’ve said a prayer or given me a word of encouragement, you’ve blessed me in ways you can’t imagine. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWlbZDOeoDz8p6J_u6_aACVCfLK7X-m6SSaMs2sHf5Ku2AVTLTQ1TSARiLgcI6qIXmdJq-cJjppE9-UZLh3dk4abUcV9IYbDFlryzp03Eb43tZcR4ENP7qA08oHtn2MCz2RAKaNal5pBV/s1600/BrokenWings+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWlbZDOeoDz8p6J_u6_aACVCfLK7X-m6SSaMs2sHf5Ku2AVTLTQ1TSARiLgcI6qIXmdJq-cJjppE9-UZLh3dk4abUcV9IYbDFlryzp03Eb43tZcR4ENP7qA08oHtn2MCz2RAKaNal5pBV/s200/BrokenWings+copy.jpg" width="131" /></a>If you’ve written me a note, an email, or messaged me, thanks for the sacrifice of your time. <br />
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If you’ve shared my books with others or recommended them to a friend, you are a treasure above all things. <br />
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To all of you, my gratitude overflows. Because of you, I search for the perfect word, that special turn of phrase, the spark that will make my stories come alive. It’s for you I write. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipn5o2VbvoJ1CA5JLDlp7InNqnYl8yqieDd17g9l8U72lYV1KPDYPSTpayk2-Zp3HY5vRuwXNn-7t3i5Oph5mCg1WtX6ZZFRifSFD0ZNpMxE7xpqkSyPV0dF5q0GuWatVTRyth7JzV6Nt7/s1600/Chasing+Lilacs+300+px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipn5o2VbvoJ1CA5JLDlp7InNqnYl8yqieDd17g9l8U72lYV1KPDYPSTpayk2-Zp3HY5vRuwXNn-7t3i5Oph5mCg1WtX6ZZFRifSFD0ZNpMxE7xpqkSyPV0dF5q0GuWatVTRyth7JzV6Nt7/s200/Chasing+Lilacs+300+px.jpg" width="130" /></a>As a very small way of saying thanks, I’m giving away two of my books in a drawing. I’ll be drawing two names on Dec. 3, and winners may choose either <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Lilacs-Novel-Carla-Stewart/dp/B005B1K9TA/ref=pd_sim_b_1"><i>Chasing Lilacs</i></a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Wings-Novel-Carla-Stewart/dp/0446556564/ref=tmm_pap_title_0"><i>Broken Wings.</i></a> To be entered in the drawing, please leave a comment WITH YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION telling me how you first found out about my blog or my books. Even if you already own one or both books, you’re welcome to enter. I’d be honored if you won and gave my book to your church or local library or gave it as a gift. If you’re a first-time reader, my hope is that you will like what you read and tell others. <br />
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Thanks for your support and joining this adventure with me!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: These are my personal books. Chances of winning dependent on number of entries. Void where prohibited. Open to North American residents only. </span>carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-70259695791163612622011-11-25T00:05:00.002-06:002011-11-25T00:05:00.516-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 25<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 25 – The Letter X</span></div><br />
Today’s letter is the tricky little X, which can serve as a legal signature if you’re unable to write your name. It’s also the unknown in math – the number to be found that will make an equation true. It’s also the symbol that indicates the crossing of two objects or things to come up with something totally different and new. <br />
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That said, I have a question for you today: <br />
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What happens when you <i>cross </i>a best-selling non-fiction author with a Christy award winning novelist? Since it’s Black Friday and I don’t want to slow down your pursuit of the “perfect” deal, I won’t keep you in suspense. <br />
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<div align="center"><span style="font-size: 130%;">This week, the</span></div><center><a href="http://www.christianfictionblogalliance.com/"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Christian Fiction Blog Alliance</span></a></center> <center><span style="font-size: 100%;">is introducing</span></center> <center><span style="color: #993300; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/080240264X">A Marriage Carol</a></span></center> <center>Moody Publishers (September 1, 2011)</center> <center>by</center> <center><span style="color: #006600; font-size: 130%;"><a href="http://chrisfabry.com/">Chris Fabry</a> and <a href="http://www.garychapman.org/">Gary Chapman</a></span></center> <br />
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<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE AUTHORS:</span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8GwTiFKeI-KUo6VZgsKFhob_b4da01zdhFwQsqyi_QNRnKs2Hh9gTUaeSzBgNZILJ_ps_-6_sgHnzJbtB-Sd2qITwLVSJ6_fVuxGQS_UHejbNXPer-CIT1mh3_RvF1Bm0IFCeEH9eDhP/s1600/chris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8GwTiFKeI-KUo6VZgsKFhob_b4da01zdhFwQsqyi_QNRnKs2Hh9gTUaeSzBgNZILJ_ps_-6_sgHnzJbtB-Sd2qITwLVSJ6_fVuxGQS_UHejbNXPer-CIT1mh3_RvF1Bm0IFCeEH9eDhP/s200/chris.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>CHRIS FABRY is a graduate of W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and Moody bible Institute's Advanced Studies Program. Chris can be heard daily on Love Worth Finding, featuring the teaching of the late Dr. Adrian Rogers. He received the 2008 "Talk Personality of the Year" Award from the National Religious Broadcasters. He has published more than 60 books since 1995, many of them fiction for younger readers. Chris collaborated with Jerry B. Jenkins and Dr. Tim LaHaye on the children's series Left Behind: The Kids. His two novels for adults, Dogwood and June Bug, are published by Tyndale House Publishers. Chris is married to his wife Andrea and they have five daughters and four sons.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfzHogChuAc6cIkD-sgzBb-7qTzhHXscLddeJQCH_WeKkdQpyhjeQHQi4Svx_-nbcNhi2-dYfJF7wOF70gEsdC3XRdCgxGE1pkPMUibWhgmlHNxylP2FdcahTb6bf5mLWdq75eC3VLFe7/s1600/drchapman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfzHogChuAc6cIkD-sgzBb-7qTzhHXscLddeJQCH_WeKkdQpyhjeQHQi4Svx_-nbcNhi2-dYfJF7wOF70gEsdC3XRdCgxGE1pkPMUibWhgmlHNxylP2FdcahTb6bf5mLWdq75eC3VLFe7/s1600/drchapman.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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GARY CHAPMAN is the author of the bestselling Five Love Languages series and the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc. Gary travels the world presenting seminars, and his radio program airs on more than 400 stations.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #ff6600; font-size: 100%;">ABOUT THE BOOK</span></b> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KK4XrbQNGcpiw7LclOYsnCM6yCFIinUWaXLuUb79rXhYn6XEaAgV6D4VDSfOVXnrileaGwFnycMXDtVg3SPizRx5XafZEQ4IPhCOcjtEqGO3MZQO7Rs6_iJXx3ZQq2YDFvJEcUMc0Kp6/s1600/A_Marriage_Carol_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KK4XrbQNGcpiw7LclOYsnCM6yCFIinUWaXLuUb79rXhYn6XEaAgV6D4VDSfOVXnrileaGwFnycMXDtVg3SPizRx5XafZEQ4IPhCOcjtEqGO3MZQO7Rs6_iJXx3ZQq2YDFvJEcUMc0Kp6/s200/A_Marriage_Carol_.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>On Christmas Eve twenty years earlier, Marlee and Jacob were married in a snowstorm. This Christmas Eve, they are ready to quit, divorce is imminent. Their relationship is as icy as the road they’re traveling and as blocked with troubles as the piling snow. They take a shortcut to get to the lawyer’s office, on a slippery, no-fault path. She thinks they need to stay on the main road. He disagrees. They fight. Story of their lives and they slam into a bank of snow , spinning, drifting, falling, out of control. Just like their lives. Reluctantly, freezing cold, hungry, scared, she trudges up the hill. Paul is nowhere to be found. Her ears frozen, fingers and hands red, she comes to a house on the hillside, built like a Bed and Breakfast, a green wreath on the red door and the door-knocker is in the shape of a wedding ring.<br />
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The red door opens and the first thing she notices is the fire in the room, blazing hot, a warm, inviting, friendly place and the voice of an old man welcomes her in. There are three golden pots on the hearth, shining, glimmering things. The old man claims that they are used to restore marriages. She laughs—and begins a journey through her past, present, and future that will test how she views her lifelong love. There are two futures available. Which will she choose?<br />
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If you would like to read the first chapter excerpt of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/080240264X">A Marriage Carol</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2011/11/marriage-carol.html">HERE</a>.carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-63064954198888828652011-11-24T00:05:00.002-06:002011-11-24T00:05:00.454-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 24<div style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 24. Happy Thanksgiving! </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSGNRRoGBSe8yF4kFvRjTIAAKCv7_gZDxUX5qvuOVqbvvQlN53T4yRH1dVaSthL5XbfuKnGhNLe8SECtZs6eTFjsoPwNPsuSuL6AbUa-HIM-nXBBBPOFWDJhEeFhNJUgQh5QPE1LYQZr4/s1600/Turkey+from+Nash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSGNRRoGBSe8yF4kFvRjTIAAKCv7_gZDxUX5qvuOVqbvvQlN53T4yRH1dVaSthL5XbfuKnGhNLe8SECtZs6eTFjsoPwNPsuSuL6AbUa-HIM-nXBBBPOFWDJhEeFhNJUgQh5QPE1LYQZr4/s320/Turkey+from+Nash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Departing from the alphabet today to celebrate Thanksgiving. Hope your day is blessed and filled with all the things you love – turkey and the trimmings, big screen football, sweet reminisces, and barrels of laughter. Love on your family. Have a second helping of dressing and a whole piece (or two) of pumpkin pie. Jump in the leaves. Hug a child. And in everything, give thanks.<br />
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You are loved!<br />
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Have a safe and glorious day!carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-62757575949921024952011-11-23T00:05:00.002-06:002011-11-23T00:05:00.952-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 23<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 23. The Letter W. </span></div><br />
Today is a grab bag of things that I’m thankful for that begin with the letter “W”, and at the end of the post, a special surprise for you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">W</span>ords: No secret here – I’m in love with words. I’m in love with <span style="font-size: large;">W</span>riting words. I love it when I think about it for two days and find the exact perfect word for a scene that I’m working on. I know it’s a quirk, but it does give rise to another thing for which I’m thankful – the community of <span style="font-size: large;">W</span>riters. Thankfully, people in this weird tribe understand what I’m talking about. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xh5FagpRlrInHJnLXtwQGjkvoZ-qIVMSVs0_Z3y8ChFr37VtSgZk1H72mo0-GMCuGMfS4694TipDMDrjEn_tstFX8dbKgYdNUxfCCY4sLp4SacRnQQOGR0c8hrEhXlsFifDqpYIjJYV3/s1600/Alice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xh5FagpRlrInHJnLXtwQGjkvoZ-qIVMSVs0_Z3y8ChFr37VtSgZk1H72mo0-GMCuGMfS4694TipDMDrjEn_tstFX8dbKgYdNUxfCCY4sLp4SacRnQQOGR0c8hrEhXlsFifDqpYIjJYV3/s1600/Alice.jpg" /></a>One of my writing pals – who is a doll and not weird at all – is <a href="http://www.alicewisler.com/"><span style="font-size: small;">A</span>lice <span style="font-size: small;">W</span>isler,</a> a two-time Christy award nominee. She writes tender love stories with fun, quirky characters who have a touch of southern sass AND Alice always includes recipes in her books. I love that about her, and I think you’ll like her latest release:<br />
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<div style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>A Wedding Invitation. </i></span></div><div style="color: #a64d79;"></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqtNSeSInmpZ3oc2NpJXxLvJS8cygLcsNmZlLquHRxtXjd1QJ0JO2TlhnGQDgFnVvV189wn4xrNPmlxCYwW0UJ4RmMQ9o1vdt696PbgdrC5y9udrs_IiPygdofHf41LfYmqKMdHAIcxxv/s1600/A_Wedding_Invitation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIqtNSeSInmpZ3oc2NpJXxLvJS8cygLcsNmZlLquHRxtXjd1QJ0JO2TlhnGQDgFnVvV189wn4xrNPmlxCYwW0UJ4RmMQ9o1vdt696PbgdrC5y9udrs_IiPygdofHf41LfYmqKMdHAIcxxv/s200/A_Wedding_Invitation.jpg" width="129" /></a><span style="color: #a64d79;">After returning home from teaching English at a refugee camp in the Philippines, Samantha Bravencourt enjoys her quiet life working at her mother's clothing boutique in Falls Church, Virginia. When she receives an invitation to a wedding in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she looks forward to reconnecting with her college friend. Instead her life collides with Carson, a fellow teacher and the man who broke her heart, and a young Amerasian refugee named Lien who needs Samantha and Carson's help to find her mother before Lien's own wedding. When the search for Lien's mother reveals surprising secrets from the past, Samantha must reevaluate her own memories and decide whether to continue to play it safe or take a risk that could change her life.</span><br />
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If you would like to read the first chapter of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764207334">A Wedding Invitation</a>, go <a href="http://thestorybeginnings.blogspot.com/2011/10/wedding-invitation.html">HERE</a>.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">Now, the fun for you. I’ll be giving away a copy of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Wedding Invitation</i> on Saturday, Dec. 3. To get your name in the hat for the drawing, please leave a comment WITH YOUR CONTACT INFO on this post and tell me what <u>you </u>are most grateful for this Thanksgiving. I’ve done enough talking this month, it’s your turn! </div><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclosure: This book was provided by Bethany House. Contest void where prohibited. Chances of winning dependent on number of entries.</span></div>carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-83121179951417572312011-11-22T00:05:00.001-06:002011-11-22T00:05:00.744-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 22<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 22. The Letter V for Dream Vacation. </span></div><div style="color: #990000;"><br />
</div>Last May, Max and I had the trip of a lifetime – a week in Maui. We had not really intended to plan such a trip even though “everyone” said we should. Then, to our surprise, Max found out his company wanted him to attend a leadership conference in Maui – on their nickel. This was not rocket science. Of course we went.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbq6-aVcdHsTiN70EgJT9etKcugyEjSu5PcfPCTW2SAfMUQFxcskh2xDKU-uZJo7SwapGIJl-2rDESDRJdz6IXbGruzi28owSE-FDMAKw49f_8_pLxz9EDV5nfKfzB_7JidiMqxtIKRqB/s1600/DSC01910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbq6-aVcdHsTiN70EgJT9etKcugyEjSu5PcfPCTW2SAfMUQFxcskh2xDKU-uZJo7SwapGIJl-2rDESDRJdz6IXbGruzi28owSE-FDMAKw49f_8_pLxz9EDV5nfKfzB_7JidiMqxtIKRqB/s320/DSC01910.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
Even now, six months later, when I close my eyes, I see glorious sunsets and remember my first glimpse of lipstick trees (which are much more vivid in person than in this photo!) and the rocky cliffs along the twisty road to Hana. Apparently we “just missed” seeing George Lopez, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Steven Tyler, but it wasn’t the celebrities I went for. What I remember most was walking on the beach in the moonlight, sipping MaiTais in an open air café jutting out over the Pacific, and the sweet indulgence of Maui gold pineapple. It was like “everyone” said – paradise on earth – the handiwork of God at its finest.<br />
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What a special gift. My heart is full with the memories. And lest the images grow dim, I still have 650 digital photographs to remind me. Here are a couple you might like.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gzPbzQKsD_I-7EzOP4ruhU1YvkxYjBMEq83BI0UBXx20gzdKRlh3MgWUbo228ldZVgna-FvCX5TNXpJ2JVt9-3kOgY5YQFWB6MYqBGxewhQeugHAMiPzP_dbwgTqXSZo2DlssVbr9pPL/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gzPbzQKsD_I-7EzOP4ruhU1YvkxYjBMEq83BI0UBXx20gzdKRlh3MgWUbo228ldZVgna-FvCX5TNXpJ2JVt9-3kOgY5YQFWB6MYqBGxewhQeugHAMiPzP_dbwgTqXSZo2DlssVbr9pPL/s400/IMG_0180.JPG" width="297" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What is your dream vacation? What are you waiting for? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />
carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-57419280013955432562011-11-21T00:05:00.001-06:002011-11-21T00:05:00.769-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 21<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 21. The letter U for Unicorn. </span></div><div style="color: #990000;"><br />
</div>When my boys were young, Roger Whittaker made a children's album – fun, silly songs like <i>Google Eye, Boa Constrictor, Puff The Magic Dragon, Winken, Blinken and Nod</i>, and my personal favorite – <i>The Unicorn Song</i>. The kids loved it, and truthfully, so did we (We still have the album!). Today I’m thankful for those magical songs – the moments of whimsy when for a little while you can almost imagine the possibility of being swallowed whole by a boa constrictor or that once upon a time Unicorns roamed the earth and that they were the loveliest of all creation – those silly unicorns.<br />
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Here’s the Irish Rovers rendition of The Unicorn Song – I think you’ll agree a touch of whimsy once in a while is a very good thing.<br />
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/_EPsuOEH1fY/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_EPsuOEH1fY&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_EPsuOEH1fY&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-66011594342067605992011-11-20T00:05:00.000-06:002011-11-20T00:00:21.304-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 20<div style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 20. The Letter T. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2h7KEsIRI-wQbm1cPKlwzDuu5tTr3k4vJHMYIF9yTdfUP_PBaR3WDrQs8gflbY6sWARrGPAZeKaw9_d4-XcTxzwoufCC3tJWrqEDqsmH3-ul1NWxovUlsEvbDqabjQ15P7FM_C-evwBc-/s1600/texas+flag+rustic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2h7KEsIRI-wQbm1cPKlwzDuu5tTr3k4vJHMYIF9yTdfUP_PBaR3WDrQs8gflbY6sWARrGPAZeKaw9_d4-XcTxzwoufCC3tJWrqEDqsmH3-ul1NWxovUlsEvbDqabjQ15P7FM_C-evwBc-/s320/texas+flag+rustic.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
It’s no secret that I have a special attachment to the little state south of the one where I now live. Although I’m a Sooner born and bred and proud of my Oklahoma roots, I moved to <span style="font-size: large;">T</span>exas when I was two and grew up there. Max and I honeymooned in Dallas and later lived many wonderful years there. Two of our boys were born in Texas as well as two of my grandsons. And I do admit that when I cross the Red River, a small part of me sighs – <i>Home</i>. <br />
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So today I’m grateful for the privilege of being a Texan a few times in my life, for the sweet memories, and for the friends who still live there. You know who you are.carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-10162089146530925932011-11-19T00:05:00.001-06:002011-11-19T00:05:00.711-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 19<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 19. The Letter S. </span></div><div style="color: #990000;"><br />
</div>Today I’m thankful for my son <span style="font-size: large;">S</span>cott. He came twenty-four tension-filled minutes after his twin brother, Brett. Their differences were apparent from the beginning, being fraternal for one thing, but I’m amazed at how early in each of our boys’ lives their personalities became evident. Scott has always—ALWAYS—been a competitor and understood the concept of numbers. <br />
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He figured out multiplication in kindergarten (stunning his teacher) and by the time he was seven years old, he read the sports section every morning with his Cocoa Pebbles and began memorizing the baseball stats of his favorite players. He spent hours every day shooting baskets in the driveway. Rain or shine. Summer or winter. He took breaks by throwing a baseball against a pitchback. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQhnA5StoQSx7Cy1kIV5Q3uUdm-1XOWrVatCWzavK0B2JeRvhMCeKPrUINWLhMDYZn88cDYTkGaQFQ9LkDivdXB1qG7Q_9NMrInyXmcyWAjosan6X3iToScrfhO4PdG7x77mCzMGzKefF/s1600/DSC02557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQhnA5StoQSx7Cy1kIV5Q3uUdm-1XOWrVatCWzavK0B2JeRvhMCeKPrUINWLhMDYZn88cDYTkGaQFQ9LkDivdXB1qG7Q_9NMrInyXmcyWAjosan6X3iToScrfhO4PdG7x77mCzMGzKefF/s320/DSC02557.JPG" width="240" /></a>It didn’t surprise us when he chose to major in math in college and went on to get a Master’s in statistics. Scott thinks in percentages and can probably tell you the odds of how often a fraternal twin becomes the father of identical twins. What goes around comes around, and he now has the pleasure (and challenge) of raising twins.<br />
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He and Denice get bonus points, though, for presenting us with our first grandgirl four years ago. I’m 100% certain she’s the cutest girl on the planet, and I’m 95% sure that Scott can still give you the lifetime stats of his all-time favorite baseball player, Reuben Sierra. <br />
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I’m a lucky mom. My heart overflows with thankfulness for these fine young men. Selfishly, I’m also a wee bit thankful for the solitude of my life now. Can you relate?carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-82189782746035277072011-11-18T00:05:00.001-06:002011-11-18T00:05:00.235-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 18<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 18. The Letter R for Random. </span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypqQMI8MDssEiKIQ0kZpDC81mY502o8XiBHCBgoVXE_82rduzVc1LBWDgzc_SP970v2kBh2_Dj2-LvJukd_ev_unlsGsKc6jcqS5XFW0H2NLkP8actcnQ75VPzqTpmqLAcUC____E6ySP/s1600/breast+cancer.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypqQMI8MDssEiKIQ0kZpDC81mY502o8XiBHCBgoVXE_82rduzVc1LBWDgzc_SP970v2kBh2_Dj2-LvJukd_ev_unlsGsKc6jcqS5XFW0H2NLkP8actcnQ75VPzqTpmqLAcUC____E6ySP/s200/breast+cancer.bmp" width="130" /></a>Some random things I’m thankful for today. Here goes: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #cc0000;"> My iPad! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">My awesome new hairdresser! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> <span style="color: magenta;">My friend Debbie remains cancer free after her latest checkup (along with my sis and my cousin) - Yay!!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: lime; line-height: 200%;">I love elastic waists . . . . and spandex. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> <span style="color: #741b47;">My mammo came back A-OK. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #073763; line-height: 200%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy19h_27sMB699MUazGgV879dTfIzHmx0lUAu8E3jjZT9UozIglUMaltJ4JtEegoeIqZhL_udiRWqTGFRXbpS2fv8N6h1emtH_ODmp-eNOrLjwKai9mquH1Tx8FDkE5IiFCdGpRmxTxyc0/s1600/iStock_000009626059XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy19h_27sMB699MUazGgV879dTfIzHmx0lUAu8E3jjZT9UozIglUMaltJ4JtEegoeIqZhL_udiRWqTGFRXbpS2fv8N6h1emtH_ODmp-eNOrLjwKai9mquH1Tx8FDkE5IiFCdGpRmxTxyc0/s200/iStock_000009626059XSmall.jpg" width="133" /></a> I am my dog’s favorite person (my sweet hubby just </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #073763; line-height: 200%;"> told me this, but I already knew it). </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">Foreman grills. </span> <span style="color: #38761d;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> <span style="color: #351c75;"> My friend Glo is Grammy again for the third time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> <span style="color: #b45f06;"> <span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">This year’s Thanksgiving turkey is already in the freezer.</span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOnvsKnezAR9dYipaaFRwtP4gsJIaCKnKJCf1S2rXooB_ifEGAAooeVF2qL-5Iij2Hn3YfVqJaOurtjYe6vs1GxJy2_7qSMjjLBOy93_0pQGPeXUHmanbmnbWGuFoskchlwJQPly3TTyl/s1600/MPj04009900000%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOnvsKnezAR9dYipaaFRwtP4gsJIaCKnKJCf1S2rXooB_ifEGAAooeVF2qL-5Iij2Hn3YfVqJaOurtjYe6vs1GxJy2_7qSMjjLBOy93_0pQGPeXUHmanbmnbWGuFoskchlwJQPly3TTyl/s200/MPj04009900000%255B1%255D.jpg" width="159" /></a><span style="color: #bf9000;">The foliage this year was in Technicolor. </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> We survived our first earthquake! (Along with 3.75 million other people in my state) </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"> <span style="color: #bf9000;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> FREEDOM! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #741b47; line-height: 200%;">Two of my best writing buddies have debut books hitting the market soon! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">I could go on and on, but the thing I’m most grateful for on “random” day is that it wasn’t random at all that Jesus came to earth, that he lived and died for me, that my days were planned before the foundations of the earth. The joy of belonging to Jesus and the hope of eternity lifts me to the heavens every day. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">I’m not worthy. But I am thankful. </div>carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-34069300143736991132011-11-17T00:05:00.003-06:002011-11-17T00:05:00.849-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 17<div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 17. The letter Q for Quilts. </span></div><div style="color: #990000;"><br />
</div>We’ve been having an on-again/off-again start to autumn. The leaves are falling at a steady (frantic) pace, and some days are sweater days, some aren’t. Today was a chilled-to-the bone curl-up-in-my-favorite-quilt kind of day. I brewed a cup of green tea, crawled under my favorite throw, and logged on my computer to check email and catch up with latest on FB and Twitter. Of course I’m thankful for all those ways to stay connected with friends and family – you are the best!<br />
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But this time of year when the first really cold blasts come, I’m also reminded of how much I love quilts. I’m thankful that many of the ones I have connect me to my past, one as far back as my great-grandmother. A few were made just for me which makes them all the more special. And a few I’ve rescued from yard sales, sad that the owners would turn loose of a piece of who they are because the color was no longer in style or they didn’t value the hours and love that goes into stitching together a quilt. I’m honored to have the ones I have. They are treasured. Here’s a peek at a couple of them. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL32RDUO9BQgTnn2xYYyK7nrW9SGa_30M73hxLgWZ0U7WRi_eBQhg0YSvT_izIbGSA3hBz8btK_tHvEhoxYO7PZ6mX-tx7sBZaX4S1Y1R02byC3ijeT9k0GsdlpsorLUCwYmkwME6VX_EL/s1600/DSC02958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL32RDUO9BQgTnn2xYYyK7nrW9SGa_30M73hxLgWZ0U7WRi_eBQhg0YSvT_izIbGSA3hBz8btK_tHvEhoxYO7PZ6mX-tx7sBZaX4S1Y1R02byC3ijeT9k0GsdlpsorLUCwYmkwME6VX_EL/s320/DSC02958.JPG" width="264" /></a></div><br />
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Wishing you lots of cozy quilt days with your favorite cuppa this Thanksgiving!carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5692532635453384063.post-69276740920814648932011-11-16T00:05:00.002-06:002011-11-16T00:05:00.397-06:00Thirty Days of Thanksgiving - Day 16<div style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 16. The Letter P for Pumpkin. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWfTwiXML_FH77qF-FFPGYvYav0PMpmeE3jIu95cMgEXALvvwraHhL3ctG5g6DnJjl9eMoqhS2Eb-sF8mKBYF_79SRcy6DV-XM-b6rs5CvOOunTJd0rEmQm-Db3bJ66puA6UC2yICkHpV/s1600/MPj04228490000%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWfTwiXML_FH77qF-FFPGYvYav0PMpmeE3jIu95cMgEXALvvwraHhL3ctG5g6DnJjl9eMoqhS2Eb-sF8mKBYF_79SRcy6DV-XM-b6rs5CvOOunTJd0rEmQm-Db3bJ66puA6UC2yICkHpV/s320/MPj04228490000%255B1%255D.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love pumpkin pie. It was one of my mom’s favorites, and she made yummy ones every Thanksgiving. I’m happy to say that today I still use her recipe – the one straight off the side of the Libby’s ® can. It’s smooth and rich, has just the right balance of spice that suits me, and with a dollop of whipped cream or Cool Whip ® on top, it’s just about perfection. <br />
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So today, I’m thankful for whoever the first person was who decided to cut the top off a pumpkin and was brave enough to scoop out that mess of stringy goo and slick seeds to find out what lay beyond. Perhaps the first pumpkins were roasted and served as a veggie, with a shake of salt and pepper. Or perhaps the meaty part was cut in chunks and thrown in some broth as part of an autumn soup. Pure conjecture here on my part. But it did make me wonder whether or not the harvest table at Plymouth Rock had pumpkin pie on that first Thanksgiving. The only thing I feel certain about is that in circa 1621 they didn’t have Cool Whip ®. <br />
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But I did a little investigating and found <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/holidays/thanksgiving/first">this article</a> about what the probable menu was on that first Thanksgiving feast. The feast itself lasted three days, and I’m not in favor of reverting back to that. One day of being stuffed to the gills is enough. <br />
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More than likely they served deer and wildfowl (turkey perhaps?) but no bread-based stuffing. They may have used herbs or nuts to stuff the bird, however. And they laid the table with native fruits (yay for cranberries!) and local vegetables like leeks, carrots, and turnips. No mention of pumpkin. It’s a fascinating article so <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/holidays/thanksgiving/first">head on over there</a> for a little history lesson. <br />
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For you today, though, my mom’s recipe for pumpkin pie – a la Libby’s. <br />
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<div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">LIBBY’S ® Famous Pumpkin Pie Recipe</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">Ingredients </div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">• 3/4 cup granulated sugar</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">• 1/2 teaspoon salt</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">• 2 large eggs</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">• 1 can (15 oz.) LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">• 1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">• 1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;">• Whipped cream (optional)</div><div style="color: #b45f06; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #b45f06;"><u>Directions </u></div><div style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #b45f06;">MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.</div><div style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #b45f06;">POUR into pie shell.</div><div style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #b45f06;">BAKE in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving. </div><br />
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What are you looking forward to at Thanksgiving? Any special desserts or family recipes that you can't live without? <br />
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PS: Bonus: Libby's invented this recipe and started putting it on the side of the can in what year?carla stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06668815291865738037noreply@blogger.com0