Hip, hip Hooray for Independence Day!

True or False:  I Love quizzes. 

False!

BUT...this one is fun. Join in and see how many of these "easy" questions you know the answers to.
And there's a reward!

Those who answer every question (or the most) will be entered in for a drawing of one of my books (Kindle copy) of your choice.




1. Which two birds were considered as our country's national bird? You may know the one, but the second one?  


2.  Is the Liberty Bell ever rung on July 4th now? 


3.  What two signers of the Declaration of Independence were also presidents later on? 


4.  What two meats are the most consumed meats during the Independence Day celebration?


5.  What country (according to 2012 feed) makes the most American flags for the U.S.?


6.  What country purchases the most fireworks?


If you want the answers, email me (browncarole212@yahoo.com) or pm me on FB, and I'll be glad to send them to you!

Have a happy and fun Independence Day!

***

Co-owner of Undiscovered Treasures, Caroline Gibson particularly relates to the ballerina music box: forever spinning and never going anywhere. But when her dream prince appears, she's sure her prayers have been answered. Trouble is, even though family and friends hint that the local artist is the guy for her, Caroline takes matters into her own hands.

Andrew Carrington has loved Caroline since they were kids. But when contracts suddenly arrive begging for his signature, Andy thinks this just might be the way to win the only woman he can ever love.

And then there's the hitch in both their plans. Someone is stealing Andy's paintings, and why would they when he's an unknown so far? Is something deeper going on neither understand? Caroline must put aside her on-going battle to avoid Andy and his art so they can discover the art thief in Appleton.

***

About Carole:

Besides being an active participant in 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
BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carole-brown

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

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

Weekly Windup: Comment to Win Dawn of Liberty by Amber Schamel

Welcome to the Weekly Windup! We have a winner to announce!

Winner of The Wedding Barter by Alice Arenz is...Kim Hansen!

  If you are a winner, please Contact Us to claim your prize.

This Week's Giveaway:

  Dawn of Liberty (ebook) by Amber Schamel

The perfect 4th of July read with short portions that are easy to read during holiday free time.

2017 Indie Award Winner!

Liberty comes with a price. Can a fledgling nation bear the cost?

British forces advance upon a struggling colonial army. The time of decision has come. Declare independence, or give up the fight. The weight of a nation rests on Samuel Adams' shoulders as he joins the delegates of the Second Continental Congress. Can he raise the cause of Liberty above the fear of the King's wrath in the hearts of his countrymen?
Three inspirational short stories follow Samuel Adams as he struggles through the events surrounding the Declaration of Independence in early America and evokes the Dawn of Liberty. If you love Christian historical fiction, you will love this collection.

Check it out on Amazon

Comment on any post now through July 10th to get your name in the drawing! Winner will be announced in the July 11th issue of the Weekly Windup.

 Paperback giveaways are for U.S. residents only.

Coming up this week:

Monday, 7/2: Happy birthday, America by Carole Brown
Tuesday, 7/3: TBA
Wednesday, 7/4: Happy 4th of July!
Thursday, 7/5: ACFW New Releases
Friday, 7/6: A book review by Heidi Main
Saturday, 7/7: TBA

4th of July & Apple Pie w/ giveaways

 Happy Independence Day everyone!!! Roll out the picnic blanket and we'll have a party. 

Speaking of picnics, let's skip straight to dessert.

It seems no dessert is more American than apple pie, and besides the poetic effect, it goes along with the 4th of July. So on this Tidbit Tuesday, I thought we'd explore the history behind America's favorite pie and give you a few clever tidbits to entertain your friends at whatever picnic you may consume the delicacy today. :)

The very first recorded recipe of a dish resembling apple pie dates back to 1381. However, this recipe wouldn't be what you're used to today. First of all, sugar was scarce and very expensive, so most pies didn't contain that ingredient. The other difference is that the pastry (or coffin as it was known then) was not meant to be eaten. It was just a container for the baked fruit. That being the case, it probably wasn't buttery and flakey like our apple pie crusts today.

Fast forward to about 1545 and we start gaining some semblance to this favorite. The recipe from a cookbook during this time period includes sugar and the spice of ginger in the recipe. Oh, and the crust had some butter at this point.

As American as Apple Pie?

The recipe for apple pie developed and became quite popular in Britain. As a result, the love for apple pie came over along with the settlers to the New World. There was one problem though. Apparently, when the pioneers landed, they found only crab apples. Or at least wild apples that were small and sour. Thus, the Europeans had to import domesticated apples to be grown. John Smith recorded that apples, peaches, figs and apricots 'prospered exceedingly' in the Jamestown colony.
From there, the apple industry grew like the fruit on the trees. By the end of the nineteenth century, Americans were growing more than 14,000 varieties.

This history begs the question if apples aren't even native to America, and apple pies have been served around the world for centuries, how did it become an American icon?

At the same time, the commercialization and popularity of the fruit was growing in our nation. Soon, you had plantations popping up with apple orchards. One claimed to be growing as many as 10,000 apple trees. Not to mention Johnny Appleseed who traveled around planting the things.

In 1759, the records of a town parson indicate that a settlement in Deleware ate apple pies year round. Once the fresh apples ran out, they used dried.

By 1796, multiple recipes for apple pie were showing up in American cookbooks.

I suppose we just took the good thing others had going, latched onto it, and mass produced it. Apples became a huge industry in America. Still today America is second only to China in the production of the fruit. There are about 7500 commercial producers in 36 states and they harvest close to 50,000 tons each year.

 That'd make a lot of apple pie.

But the Americanism of apple pie really solidified during WWII when the soldiers began quipped to journalists that they were going to war for "Mom and apple pie."

Whether the icon is truly the result of patriotism or a clever gimmick by the apple producers is still debated today.

Since it's 4th of July, I have a couple of great giveaways for you! 

Indies for Independence

Enter to win a prize pack with 20 books by Indie authors!

Here's a link to the Rafflecopter to enter!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/deca94d5354/?

Booksweeps Christian Audiobook Giveaway

 I’ve teamed up with 15+ fantastic Christian fiction authors to give away a huge collection of novels to 2 lucky winners, PLUS a Kindle Fire to the Grand Prize winner! 

You can win my novel The Swaddling Clothes, plus books from authors like Elizabeth Camden and Cara Putnam!

Enter the giveaway by clicking here: bit.ly/2sZgwGb

 

Enjoy the giveaways, the fireworks, and the apple pie. Happy birthday, America!