Fall Fun & Festivities

Ah, Autumn. It's one of those seasons that people either absolutely LOVE or HATE.

 For me, I love this time of year. The crisp weather, the sweaters and scarves, hot drinks, permission to start thinking and talking about Christmas...Sigh.

Autumn colors I captured while in New Brunswick this year.

Now my brother on the other hand? He could almost go into depression this time of year. The days get shorter, more clouds, rain/sleet/snow and storms, the COLD...where did all the sunshine go?

Maine autumn colors for you.

But whether you love fall or hate it, you have to admit that there is a lot of fun and festivities that go on. Hay rides, all the fresh veggies sold at stands, people tend to have fall parties, craft fairs...it seems everyone is trying to get their socialization in before Winter sets in and no one wants to go out.

Perfect place to curl up with coffee or hot cider.

One of my favorite activities during the fall season is just taking a trip to the mountains, or a walk around the neighborhood, just to admire the changing of the leaves. It's such a beautiful reminder of the cycle of life and God's promise of resurrection in the Spring. I stand in awe when I think of how deeply that type goes. The leaves are dying, and yet in their death they are beautiful. They fall to the ground and become compost for the trees around them. In the same way, our lives are most beautiful when we fully die out to ourselves and allow ourselves to be in service to God and others.

Home, sweet home.
Fall in Colorado with Pike's Peak in the background.

So what about you? Do you love fall, or don't? 

What are your favorite festivities for this time of year?

Leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for an ebook copy of my holiday book, Solve by Christmas!

Mac and Cheese Candy Canes? Fun with Shirley Raye Redmond

Blogger Shirley Raye Redmond

Mac-and-Cheese Candy Canes?

Put the Trick in Trick-or-Treat!

I think gift catalogs are fun, don’t you? In fact, I am a catalog queen.

My mail carrier told me so. One Christmas, he gave me a card, thanking me for ordering from so many catalogs as it provides him with job security.

Funny man.

I am always perusing catalog pages looking for something silly or unusual for birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions. One of my favorites is Bas Bleu (French for Blue Stocking). If you’re a booklover and are not familiar with this specialty catalog, you’re missing out. It boasts books and gifts that I’ve not seen for sale anywhere else, like literary fortune cookies—just the item to serve at your next book club meeting. There are wonderful note cards, puzzles, mugs, and the cutest Christmas ornaments—all with book themes of course.

Another one of my favorite sellers of silly gifts is Archie McPhee. You can find everything from Edgar Allan Poe candy to Shakespeare gum. They even sell mac-n-cheese flavored candy canes. Yep, mac-in-cheese. They have coal flavored and clam favored, if you prefer. Bacon and dill pickle too.
These make hilarious “gag” gifts and put the “merry” in Merry Christmas. My grandkids now look forward to whatever off-the-wall presents they might receive from me.

Do you have a favorite catalog you enjoy shopping from? C’mon, tell me!

Travel Fun: The Most Beautiful McDonalds

Okay, I know, beautiful and McDonalds don't usually go together. But sometimes on our travels, we run into unexpected wonders. I thought I'd share one of those with you today. So hold on just a second while this travel nerd shares one of my favorite spots in Maine. :)

 On our recent trip to New England, we discovered a McDonalds in Freeport, Maine. And I tell you that it is the most beautiful McDonalds I've ever seen. And I've seen a LOT of McDonalds buildings in my day. I've seen the one with the two-level play area and arcade, I've seen the old-fashioned ones with the original golden arches...but this one. Oh my!

It had very little of the traditional franchise McD's that you usually see, and instead had an antique Victorian or Colonial feel. I've literally never had so much fun ordering a McCafe Caramel Cappuccino and sipping it as I did that morning!

The above picture is from the backside of the building. You can see the drive though window if you look closely.

Look at the McDonalds sign above the door!
I figure the unique look of this McDonalds must have something to do with the covenants in Freeport, although I have no idea what those are. The town of Freeport is where the  L.L. Bean retailer originated, so that's what they are best known for. But to be quite honest, I was more impressed with the McDonalds than the L.L. Bean store. LOL.

And this was the front side entrance. The white pillars, the trim, everything was gorgeous! I was all heart-eye-emojis as I walked inside wondering if the inside would be consistent with the exterior. Guess what? It was!

That round table in front of the fireplace is where we sat to enjoy our coffee and fries. Because who goes to McDonalds and doesn't get some fries, right?

Let me tell you, if I lived near here, this would be a great writing spot. 

 

And just look at that sign. So cute.

So if you're ever near Freeport Maine, you know where to stop for a mid-morning snack. :) I hope you enjoyed seeing this unique American establishment as much as I did.

 Have you ever seen a unique McDonalds? I would love to hear about it!

Happy Birthday Songs with #giveaway

There are probably a million ways to sing "Happy Birthday", so I thought we'd round up some favorites to share today.

 
Amber Schamel
My favorite rendition is a toss up between the one above and the one below. I'll just share them both. ;)



Pegg Thomas:
My hero, Maksim Ivanov, in the upcoming "Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides" collection is Russian.  :)



Crystal Barnes
 In our family, when we want to be silly and razz the birthday person, we sing the version...

Happy Birthday to you

You live in a zoo...

Shirley Raye Redmond
My favorite rendition...the chipmmunks

Now it's your turn! Show us your favorite happy birthday rendition, or compose a happy birthday song for Stitches Thru Time to get your name in the drawing for an ebook of choice by Crystal Barnes!

Interview with Special Guest...YOU!

Since today is Sit-Down Saturday, I thought it would be fun to turn the tables and pose a few questions for our readers to answer. So guess what? You're in the interview chair today!

Answer one or all of the questions below and get your name in the drawing for this week's giveaway of  Embracing Hope!

1)Tell us about yourself in three sentences.
2) If your life were a song, what would be the title?
3) Morning person or night owl?
4) Coffee or tea?
5) If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?
6) What is one book you wish someone would write?

I'm so looking forward to seeing all of your answers and chatting with you today. :D 

 

Remembering Mama

Mother's Day will be celebrated this month. 

It's a special time to show our love, remembrance, 

and respect for those women we call mothers. 

Follow me as I journey down memory lane, and hopefully you'll have fond memories too. 

My favorite Mother's Day poem:

Memo for a Lady

Never say again you are old!
Have you considered how much longer
Ago the temple of Diana at Ephesus,
And even Venus? They are old.

And never say you're not attractive.
Remember that for us
Who look deeper than skin
And see your thought flowering
Goldenly as sunflowers, and more tall,
Hear your heart singing sometimes
And feel the warmth of its love,
And join in your laughter often,
You are beautiful.

--Elaine V. Emans

Things Mom Did:

* One of her greatest joys was cooking for her family! I remember Friday nights with hamburgers and the works--anything we wanted on them...and then hamburger gravy ladled on top of this creation. Lol. Don't knock it till you try it. Delicious! 

* She read to us. I'm pretty sure she got tired of reading some books over and over to us. We'd catch her occasionally trying to skip pages and make her read it correctly! But I never remember her complaining. I suppose that's why we all read today!

* She loved God. Church was her thing, and she taught us that there's where we were to be on Sundays and anytime special services happened! Many times I'd see her reading her Bible or see it opened on a chair, table or sofa. A great example she was. 

Now, I'd love to share this special song with you. 

Wherever you are, be sure to thank God for your mother or the memory of your mother. 

And finally, enjoy this song. I know I did and do! 

My Mother's Faith

https://youtu.be/s4QAzSKg9Q0

Have a beautiful day!!

ABOUT CAROLE:

Besides being an active participant of many writing groups, Carole is an award winning author and enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense, tough topics, romance and whimsy into her books, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Google+:    https://plus.google.com/u/0/113068871986311965415/posts

Word Sharpeners: https://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/

Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

Celebration Month Fun Quiz--Coming Right Up--Today!

WELCOME!

I'm excited to be hosting today's Birthday Bash Celebration posting!

Whoohoo, what fun Stitches Thru Time has had this month.

We hope you'll continue to check out our blog site each day so you'll not miss 

any opportunity to win wonderful prizes donated by our authors!

HERE's THE GRAND PRIZE INFORMATION:

Today, we're having a fun Question and Answer Contest.

Here's what to do!

* Each author is asking three questions followed by possible answers and a link to find the CORRECT answer which will match one of the possible answers. 

Follow each link, look for the answer, then return to this page and post your answers. 

The person with the highest correct scores WINS!

The Prize?

Winner's Choice of one of my Books.

(Check 'em out on my Amazon Author Page!)

Questions?

Ask here on this page. 

I'll check back several times throughout the day.

Now, on to the contest . . .

Have fun!

Crystal is a rip-roaring (I'm making that one up! :) ), honest-to-goodness Texan girl. She has the speech down pat, lives in the tree-filled area of Piney Woods, and writes faith-filled, historical romance. You'll love her western-flavored web site!

Check out Crystal's sites!

http://www.crystal-barnes.com/index.html

Facebook Author Page

Pinterest

1.  What is one of Crystal's favorite sit-coms?
A. Family Affair
B. Father Knows Best
C. I Love Lucy
http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html#Crystal

2.  Which one of Crystal's books is a twist on a shot-gun wedding?
A. Win, Love, or Draw
B. Love, Stock, & Barrel
C. Signed, Sealed, & Delighted
http://www.crystal-barnes.com/books.html

3.  What is the title of the musical comedy Crystal is performing in this fall?
A. Johnny, Be Good
B. A Texas Thanksgiving
C. One Day Too Late
https://www.facebook.com/booksbybarnes/

Carole and her family are nation-wide travelers, experienced diners on fine foods like spiraled-fried sheep's intestines and hotter-than-hot stews. She adores her grandsons, dates with her husband, loves her life, writing suspenseful and mysterious books with touches of quirky humor and romance and is always looking for the next great adventure God gives them.

She'd love you to connect with her:

http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Facebook Author Page
Twitter

1.  In my recently released book, Knight in Shining Apron, Starli planned a certain career but gave it up to get married. What was it?

A.  Race car driver

B.  Wedding planner

C.  Concert pianist

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=31652184#editor/target=page;pageID=4664764996559819183;onPublishedMenu=pages;onClosedMenu=pages;postNum=1;src=link

2.  On my Amazon Author Page, how many books have I written or co-authored?

A. 25

B. 8

C. 2

https://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

3.  What is one of my favorite desserts?

A. real cheesecake

B. pecan pie

C. fruit cake

http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

With over 600 non-fiction articles in both the christian and secular market, that's just the beginning of Catherine's writing accomplishments. Plays, skits, musicals, an award winning debut novel, and a poetry are some of her other talented work. She and her husband collaborate on many of their works. 

You'll find more about her when you visit one, or all, of her sites:

https://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com/

Twitter

Amazon Author Page

1. Which  award has Catherine Castle's debut book The Nun and the Narc won?

A. The Rita

B. The Beverly Hills Book Award

C. The Christy Award

https://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com/

2. What non-book related award has Catherine Castle won?

A. Hairdresser of the Year

B. Shaker Farms Best Hillside Garden award

C. Homemaker of the Year

https://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com/gardens-2/

3. ‎Which of the following activities is Catherine Castle's  favorite insomniac activities?

A. ‎Making cookies

B. Eating chocolate

C. ‎Watching television

‎https://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/confessions-of-an-insomniac/

Elaine is a talented author, a past Civilian Accountant for the Air Force, a passionate reader, and a strong lover of history. You'll enjoy her daily posts on her site!

Here's a few of her links:

https://elainemanders.com/

Facebook

Twitter

1. The heroine of Book 2 of my Mail-Order Bride series is a dressmaker. What is the color of her dress on the book cover?

A. Pink

B. Yellow

C. Blue

https://elainemanders.com/2015/07/08/debut-mail-order-brides-series/

2. Where was I when the inspiration for my western romance, Pursued, hit me?

A. At the mall

B. At the golf course

C. At church

https://elainemanders.com/2016/01/17/pursued-book-1-intrigue-under-western-skies/

3. Besides writing, what are some of my favorite pastimes?

A. Crocheting, biking, watch old movies

B. Reading, crafts, doing things with my family

C. Wind surfing, mountain climbing, sleeping in

http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html#Elaine 

From Linda Matchett, author of WWII fiction, lover of crime fiction and all things British! Visit her web site and you'll find one of the most interesting sites online. Filled w/facts and reviews and her own personal thoughts, it triggered my desire to follow her! 

Here's her links:

http://www.lindashentonmatchett.com/p/about.html

Facebook Author Page 

Pinterest

1) What is the name of Linda Shenton Matchett's novella that is a modern fictional account of the book of Ruth?
a) Love's Harvest
b) Moon Rising
C) Holding Hands in the Evening

http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/p/our-books.html#Linda

2) Linda was born in what town in Maryland?

a) Ellicott City

b) Baltimore

c) Burtonsville

http://www.lindashentonmatchett.com/p/about.html

3) Which women's auxiliary unit would Linda prefer to join if she had lived during WWII?

a) ATS

b) WAAF

http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/2016/08/ats-vs-waaf-so-whats-difference.html

Passionate about leading women's Bible Studies, reading and four-wheeling in her jeep in the mountains of Colorado, Norma Gail is the author of Land of my Dreams, and has been a good friend of mine for a long time.

Love to Connect with Norma? Check out her sites:

http://www.normagail.org/
Goodreads
Twitter

1. What is the setting for Norma’s debut novel?

A.  England
B.  United States
C.  Scotland
http://www.normagail.org/land-of-my-dreams-2/land-of-my-dreams-free-chapter/  

2. What does Norma believe is one of the key tasks of a Christian writer of romance?

A. Championing Abuse Cases
B. Making sure couples give 100%
C.  Portraying a godly view of marriage
http://www.normagail.org/a-romance-writer-on-marriage/

3. What is Norma’s passion?

A.  Soup Suppers for the homeless
B.  Choir
C.  Leading Women's Bible Studies
http://www.normagail.org/about-norma/

I adore Terri's FB page with so many WWII pictures, but then I'm a WWII fan, so what can you expect? Besides a Bachelor's degree in history and a Master's degree in Library Science, Terri had the privilege of riding in a WWII 17 Flying Fortress Bomber.

Connect with Terri at one or all of these sites:

http://www.terriwangard.com/p/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html
Facebook Author Page
Pinterest

1.  Which of Terri's books deals with doughnuts?
A.  Friends and Enemies
B.  No Neutral Ground
C.  Soar Like Eagles
http://www.terriwangard.com/p/blog-page_3.html

2.  What did Terri get in the Girl Scouts?
A.  Writer's Badge
B.  Most Daring Scout Badge
C.  Best Athlete Badge
http://www.terriwangard.com/p/blog-page_9.html

3.  Who is Terri's new publisher?
A.  Harvest House
B.  Zion's Publishing House
C.  Celebrate Lit
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTerriWangard/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Research Can Be Fun

For a writer published in contemporary romance and devotionals, I love research and I’ve had some interesting experiences. I do have a historical trilogy based on old family stories in the works, and I’m a pretty good sleuth—shades of the days when Nancy Drew mysteries were my reading preference.

Free family history sites can be treasure troves of information. Two of my favorites are www.DeadFred.com and www.FindAGrave.com. DeadFred is a database of historical photographs, great for assisting with descriptions of characters and period clothing. FindAGrave includes personal stories and the epitaphs can be a story themselves. For historical newspaper research, www.news.google.com/newspapers, http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/, and http://fultonhistory.com/ are great resources. Free sites like http://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/, and http://www.castlegarden.org/  give information about immigrants. Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans are located at http://www.dar.org/national-society/genealogy and http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm, and there are many, many more.

In researching my North Dakota roots, a local genealogy society assigned a sweet elderly lady to my case. I asked about the hardware store in the now-ghost town where my great grandparents lived. In the meantime, my mom discovered a photograph of the store’s interior with my great grandfather at the counter. When my research helper asked a neighbor, she discovered he bought the building and moved it. She was standing in what had once been my great grandfather’s store.

While posting queries on genealogy message boards about another great grandfather’s murder, I met some distant cousins who came to visit, despite my husband’s warnings that they might be axe murderers. We located a book by Fredric Remington, the famed western artist and writer that includes sketches of my great grandfather sporting a bandage from being shot in a poker game.

I discovered an 11^th great grandfather who was the last man publicly beheaded on Tower Hill in London, a colonel in the War of 1812, two ancestors who served at Valley Forge, and a great uncle who gambled with Billy the Kid. Googling names from an old newspaper article led to finding my great uncle’s fiancée whose mother died in a flu epidemic. When they opened the grave to bury a child with her, there were fingernail marks on the coffin lid.

Research can be exciting when you have the right tools along with tenacity and patience. A personal touch might be just the thing for a sagging story middle and lead to some family fun along the way.

© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, February 9, 2014

Don't forget to leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for an Orphan Train Bride Audiobook by Teresa Ives Lilly! Winner announced in the Weekly Windup on the 15th. Check out all of our great prizes on the Prizes Galore page.

About the author:

Norma Gail is the author of the Christy Award nominated contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.

Connect with Norma:

Website: www.normagail.org

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Norma-Gail/e/B00ILHXBAK/

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQbZIoC_JSE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NormaGailwrites

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/normagailth/boards/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Norma_Gail

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/norma-gail-thurston-holtman/42/71a/3b2

Book Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http://store.lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/

 Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864?ean=9781941103173