Sunday Morning

Changes

Somehow, because I am not a computer geek, I seem to be late to the party. You see, Google has been shutting down a lot of their previous services. One of which is Google Friend connect. Okay, so I started noticing that some of my followers were going away. Why is that, I wondered? Then I saw a post on another blog stating the same thing.  Well, what do you know? It's really happening. Here is what was posted on Google.

An update on Google Friend Connect

December 21, 2015

In 2011, we announced the retirement of Google Friend Connect for all non-Blogger sites. We made an exception for Blogger to give readers an easy way to follow blogs using a variety of accounts. Yet over time, we’ve seen that most people sign into Friend Connect with a Google Account. So, in an effort to streamline, in the next few weeks we’ll be making some changes that will eventually require readers to have a Google Account to sign into Friend Connect and follow blogs.

As part of this plan, starting the week of January 11, we’ll remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, we’ll remove non-Google Account profiles so you may see a decrease in your blog follower count.

We encourage you to tell affected readers (perhaps via a blog post), that if they use a non-Google Account to follow your blog, they need to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow your blog. With a Google Account, they’ll get blogs added to their Reading List, making it easier for them to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs they follow.

We know how important followers are to all bloggers, but we believe this change will improve the experience for both you and your readers.  
 
So the story goes, if you do not have a Google account, you won't be able to 
follow me.  I think! 
You can follow me by email, or bloglovin, but there will no longer 
be GFC for non Google accounts. Sad, so sad. Why do they have to 
change things when everything is going so well? 

I really don't want to lose any of my followers, and I hope that you 
will get this message before everybody goes away. 
Does everybody know about this already?

Undaunted Hope - a book review

 

 I love a story that draws you into the lives of the characters. So it is with Undaunted Hope.
 
Undaunted Hope is the story of a young woman who, desiring to make a new life, finds herself in the upper Michigan wilderness. Applying for the position of teacher in a coal mining village, she is at once scoffed at being a woman. Once the weather has locked the community in, Tessa Taylor finds she must make her way, refusing the advances of the town superintendent and chief mine clerk. Realizing this man holds the town in his grip, Tessa longs to free the people from the evil and cruelty. Tessa is drawn to the lighthouse keepers assistant, Alex, who tries to woo her, but Alex finds he is fighting a losing battle when his brother and his children stake a claim on Tessa's affections. Who will win her heart?

I've read two other novels by Jody Hedlund, and I think I enjoyed this one the most. I would suggest reading the novella Out of the Storm, as there are parts that introduce and intertwine much of the story line. Jody Hedlund is an excellent author. She gives each of her characters so much heart and brings them to life. She excels in her research which gave me new insights into the lives of lighthouse keepers and those who lived by mining.

This is the third book in the Beacons of Hope series, but I would recommend it as a stand alone novel. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

 

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Strawberries

Strawberry season has hit Florida!

 

No Place Like Home

The Alder Collective 
Winter Blues Wednesday 
Home and Garden Thursday

 Tablescape Thursday
Grace at Home

Sunday Morning

Brownie Swirl Cheesecake

I thought I would share a recipe for a wonderfully delicious cheesecake pie that goes so well with coffee, Hot chocolate or hot tea.

Brownie Swirl Cheesecake
1 pkg brownie mix (I used Dark Chocolate)
2 pkgs (8oz ea) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
Whipping cream, whipped with 2 Tbsp powdered sugar
mini chocolate chips

Prepare brownie mix according to directions on box, for chewy brownies. Spread into a greased 9 inch springform pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes (brownies will NOT be done). Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Pour over the brownie crust. Using knife, run through both layers to gently mix them and bring some of the brownie up to the top--- bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes, til center is almost set--- loosen sides by running a knife along edge--- remove sides of pan-- cool completely for at least 3 hours--- garnish with whipped cream and mini chocolate chips---- 8-10 servings Enjoy!!!

(I would love to share a picture of this Cheesecake, but unfortunately it disappears right before my eyes :-)

Snow

During this time of year much of America is blanketed with snow. When I came across this information, I thought how wonderful to learn more about the perfection and beauty of God's creation

SNOW

Please take a few minutes and check out these websites.

Snow Crystals Photo Gallery

Snow Ice Cream

Wilson Bentley - The Snowflake Man

You can also watch an amazing Youtube video about Bentley.

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands
~ Psalm 19:1

Sunday Morning

Winter Blues

Yep, we all have them. After the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holidays, the cold sets in and we get the Winter Blues.

I live in the Sunshine State, but we have not had a lot of warmth lately. Which makes me just a tad blue. So can I share some nice warm pictures with you, and we can all sit back with a hot cuppa and dream of the warm days ahead :-)






Now take a deep breath, and remember that Spring is just around the corner ;-)

Sunday Morning

Winter Get Together

A special get together warrants special treats -

Fresh baked scones.





Fresh garden salad with strawberries, Gorgonzola cheese and Sweet Roasted pecans.

Salad dressings served in crystal creamers.

Pasta E Fagioli soup.

Delicious desserts (Recipe HERE)

No Place Like Home

The Alder Collective 
Winter Blues Wednesday

 Tablescape Thursday

Home and Garden Thursday  

Home Sweet Home 
Grace at Home

Friendly Village

The day after Christmas is always a busy shopping day. I'm not a big shopper on that day, but a local department store always marks their Christmas dishes half off. So as I was out that day anyway.....

Can't help but take advantage of adding this tea pot to my collection of Johnson Brothers Friendly  Village.

Sunday Morning

Happy New Year

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