Thursday, September 24, 2020

To Steal a Heart

 


Gabriella Goodhue's childhood as a street thief puts her in a position to help a friend unjustly accused of theft. What she didn't expect was to run into her old partner, Nicholas Quinn. Is he the Knickerbocker Bandit?

As Gabriella and Nicholas are thrown together, they find the misunderstandings of their youth is full of confusing information. But as they sort out what actually happened, they find their attraction grows.

Jen Turano has written well about the differences in status in the 1800's. Gabriella is a strong independent young woman, who has made her own way. Nicholas, having been groomed by a philanthropist, appears to be seeking a well placed wife to settle his name in society. But does meeting and reuniting with Gabriella change all of that?  

Although Ms. Turano often writes humorous dialogue, I found the amount of characters to sometimes be a bit confusing. But all in all, To Steal a Heart is a sweet clean historical romance. 

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

To Die is Gain

Our Pastor had been preaching out of the book of Philippians. For the last Sunday he preached on Philippians 1:21

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

These very profound words had such an impact. As our Pastor was preaching he began to cry. He said that as he studied this passage, the realization of his mortality grabbed him. He wrestled with the fact that he really wanted to see his children grow up. He wanted to be here with his family. And yet, the scripture teaches that to die is gain.

Day by day, as we each walk the pathway we are to go, life just seems to keep going. Until we are stopped in our tracks with the lose of a loved one or friend. It is then that we start thinking of the "other side".

16 years ago, on a Sunday morning, during the middle of a raging hurricane, my BFF lost her battle with cancer and walked into the arms of Jesus. I have missed my sweet friend all these years, but on that Sunday the Pastor's message brought a sense of peace to my heart. You see, Diana was such a special friend. She walked beside me for almost 20 years, encouraging me, always with love and a smile. It is selfish of me to want her to be here, when she has gained so much more. As she reached out her hand that Sunday morning, she left behind her tired body to walk with Jesus. I can almost picture her in my minds eye, looking back at all of us and saying, "It's all right, I'm whole now."


Mark 8:35 states: “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it” (ESV).

Jesus Christ offers you the greatest freedom - in learning how to die, we learn how to live.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Fly By

On our way home from a trip up north, we stayed at a new hotel next to an undeveloped field.  I was trying to capture the sunset when all of a sudden these birds started flying all about.  I am not sure what kind of birds they were, but after many attempts I finally captured this frame with my little point and shoot camera.

Monday, September 21, 2020

Spicing Up the Porch

Sumner has flown by, making way for the colors of fall. Bringing autumn colors indoors gives my home the touch of color we don't experience here in Florida.

Outside isn't nearly as rewarding. Lacking the reds, golds, and browns of nature, it becomes a bit more of a challenge. Recently I came across an outdoor pillow that would grace the bench that sits by our front door. But really, it needed something.


Digging around in my stash, I knew I had fabric that screamed fall.
Taking this slice of fabric, I sewed seams and wrapped it around the pillow.
Humm, what next? Not enough fabric to make a bow, so a piece of brown batik would have to suffice.
Now let's see what we need next.
 
Potted plants?
My daughter made this amazing Harvest sign.
Okay looking better.
Happy Fall Ya'll!
 

Monday, September 14, 2020

Spruce them up

Many years ago, I met a lady who replenished plants in office buildings.  She would take the old ones out, and put new ones in.  She gave me a hint to help spruce up a living plant.


Take mayonnaise......



 and wipe down the leaves with a very thin layer.


It would give them shine and luster.

An inexpensive way to spruce up your plants :-)

Friday, September 11, 2020

May We Never Forget


Usa, Ground Zero, United States
In the United States, Sept. 11 has become a day that haunts the nation of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Since the attacks, the day has been called Patriot Day and serves as a day to remember those who lost their lives. The day was passed by Congress on Oct. 25, 2001 and was signed into law by then President George. W. Bush. 

 "Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew." -- President George W. Bush

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13

Friday, September 4, 2020

The Noel Letters

The Noel Letters (The Noel Collection)

Wow! Where to begin.

As an angry young woman, Noel Book Post blames her father for the death of her mother. Being estranged from him for 16 years, she is notified that her father is dying. She returns only four hours after his passing. And so the journey begins.

Noel can hardly believe her father leaves everything to her. Including his beloved book store, Bobbooks. Newly divorced, and most recently fired from her editing job in New York, she battles decisions about how to move forward. When mysterious letters start arriving for her, she is perplexed who has sent them.

As only Richard Paul Evans can write, he takes us on a journey of how a young woman can only see the short comings of others and not herself. When she learns the true story of what happened to her mother, everything changes. She attempts to throw everything away. Only to find herself broken and worn.

This story is about learning how to forgive others and herself. Admitting she has been wrong about so many things. And then picking up the pieces.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Porch Rules

I hate to see summer waning.  I love sitting out on my back porch. Drinking in the last of summer days. It's the perfect spot for most any meal, but early breakfast is a delight as we enjoy watching the birds feast at the bird feeder.





My Buffalo China pitcher was a find at Goodwill.



Homer Laughlin tea pot.  Also a Goodwill find.
I love sitting in this quiet place.  Perfect for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon tea.  With a good book, I could be lost for hours.

Thanks for joining me.