Devotion: Be Strong in the Lord!

Finally, my brothers,

Be strong in the Lord

and in his might.

Ephesians 6:10

Sometimes we're too stubborn or blind to see what's right in front of our eyes.

But recently I've reached out to God for help,

that I might strengthen my faith.

I'm grown mentally and spiritually, I think,

throughout this summer,

and hopefully, learned a few things along with 

sharing love and compassion to others.

I learned to trust, 

and because of that,

I was able to trust my hubby

in helping me conquer a major fear of mine:

Swimming!

I'm still far from a professional,

but I overcame something

that I'd carried forever.
Fear of swimming.

I learned to swim! 

I practiced forgiveness.

Hurt really badly this past year by someone I thought

should appreciate all I'd done for them,

I carried that hurt inside me,

feeling justified in doing so.

In so doing, I hurt myself

because to be happy,

to have peace,

a person has to forgive.

Forgiving was a process God showed me 

and helped me achieve.

I'm praying a hard prayer.

I was sitting in church one day

and felt like God directed my thoughts

to the ways I was praying.

Sure, it was easy to pray for those

who I loved dearly.

It was easy to pray for the softer hearts.

But what about that one I thought would never

serve God? Who, I thought, was a "hard" person?

Why didn't I pray for him/her?

My eyes were opened.

God is the God of possibilities,

and what I deemed as impossible

was nothing to God!

And, so, I allowed my prayers to include the impossible:

I began praying for that one.

Have I seen results?

Not yet.

But I'm not giving up either.

I will cast my faith on the waters of prayer,

and allow God to work.

I learned that the results are not my responsibility.

I'm required to do what I can.

God will produce the results.

***

How far would YOU go to avenge a daughter’s cruel death? Cara is considered rebellious and inappropriate to befriend. Dayne is the apple of Elder Simmons’ eye—until he takes a stand against their teachings. Can his prayers and love reach Cara and show her the way to redemption? Will Cara realize God’s love and forgiveness before she goes too far?

The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman is a novel of hope shining through the darkness with strong elements of suspense and romance. A Selah Award finalist and a semifinalist in the Genesis contest, this novel has close to 150 raving reviews!

Amzn Author Pg: http://amzn.to/1nFS0og 

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/

History of Swimsuits

The unofficial start of summer began yesterday. Time to dig out that swimwear and be glad--be very glad--you don't swim during the Victorian era.

Nothing identifies the history of cultural modesty more than swimwear. But you might be surprised to learn that for most of history people, men and women, swam in the nude or stripped down to their underwear.

Bath clubs in ancient Roman featured nude swimming. But by the middle ages, public summing was discouraged or outlawed altogether.

Since then, swimwear has become increasingly more scanty and form fitting.

Most of my writing takes place during the 18th and 19th century, so I've run across some interesting tidbits regarding clothing. For example, these are the rules for public Baths for men, written in 1737:

"No male person above the age of ten years shall at any time hereafter go into any Bath within the city by day or night without a pair of drawers and a waistcoat on their bodies."

And for females: "No female person shall at any time hereafter go into a Bath by day or night without a decent shift on their bodies."

Restrictions grew for women in particular until they had to be covered from head "hats" to toes "shoes" during the Victorial era.

These restrictions applied to American women too. This is their swimsuit of the 1870s.


By the turn of the century, the tide had turned.
The lady below is from the Flapper period.

It was the Olympics that changed swimsuits into more practical designs, because, obviously, the cumbersome, heavy clothing restricted competitive swimming.

As with most of fashion, swimsuit design moved from one extreme to another. Before WWII, beaches might have a swimsuit inspector.  Now, many of the suits of today come as close to nude as possible. So we may have come full circle. Personally I think the swimsuits of the 1940s and 1950s were practical and modest.

(Photo credit: allthat'sinteresting.com)


I've never been the bikini type, and now I don't have the figure for one, so my swimsuit this year is a one-piece that holds everything together.

What about you?

Harvesting My Summer

What Have I Done With My Summer?

That is the question, is it not for all of us?

"The Joy of Harvest" from Isaiah

• Vacations: besides the fun and joy of being with family, did I do what I could to encourage my loved ones toward godliness? Did I lift up their spirits? Did I speak words of kindness rather than criticism? Did I show appreciation for the glorious scenery, the wonder of their smiles and the good times?

• Church Camps: Did I do my part in celebrating the spirit of revival in hearts? Did I take the time to speak to those fighting trials and disheartening times? Did I enthusiastically participate in events to encourage others to do the same? 

• Home Life: Did I keep up with devotions? Did I ask for help when needed, whether from my God or from others who were willing to do so? Did I accomplish what I planned on doing throughout these weeks? Have I grown spiritually, mentally, and even physically (by keeping up with the right training and eating for me?

• Ministry Work: Whether in weekly church services and/or events such as Vacation Bible School, etc., or special services of music or ministry, did I volunteer willingly? Did I put my all into the work, or begrudgingly complain that I was too busy; why couldn't someone else do something? Was my heart totally lifted up to HIM in obedience? 

Can I say positively "yes" to all these questions (and more)? Probably not. Have I learned lessons I needed through these past three months that have taught me to be more willing, less out-spoken, more encouraging, etc? I hope so. 

Whether we had a busy, constantly on-the-go summer or quiet, relaxing times alone, we need to be vigilant in keeping ourselves ready and obedient to harvest what God has for us. 

And it's never too late! :)  Autumn is coming--the time of reaping. Let us look forward to good times ahead. 

Abundant blessings!

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/

Blowin' in the Wind

It's F*U*N Friday!

I love looking at the patterns on
the earth below from high in the sky!

Gorge Marina on
Cortez Island,
British Columbia

And I am so excited about getting to post on Fun Friday, having just returned one week ago from an incredible month long vacation in the San Juan Islands then hopping on up to the Canadian Gulf Islands. For this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, I can give all the glory to my Heavenly Father for arranging it…completely complimentary to Ron and I via his brother and his wife who own the yacht!

Underwater Garden!

 I saw sights I never would have dreamed I'd see and got to do so many

Gorge Marina from the restaurant.
Our yacht, Lone Star Main II, in center of photo
Quite a climb!! And a long way, too!

fun firsts, too! I’d never flown “first class” (flew to Seattle that way and wrote THE END on The Bedwarmer’s Son on the plane!). Never been on a cruise. Never been on the Pacific. Never flown in a small airplane. Never sang Karoke (I KNOW! Can you believe it?) Never had a passport before. Never been to Canada. Never got seasick (Praise the Lord!)

Chatterbox Falls at
Princess Louisa Bay

The boat had mirrors on a lot of
ceilings to make it look bigger

After three ER visits followed by three admissions earlier this year. I was getting the message, God wanted me to slow down. Then this trip came up. I figured things were surely looking up! :)

Now y’all know I’m a busy author lady :) with lots of things to do. New Covers and Reveal Party - August 16th 10.am. CDT with CelebrateLit! And New Releases - The Bedwarmer’s Son coming in September with its CelebrateLit Blog Tour September through the )…but I thought I’d be fine…able to work online a little in the evenings when we moored into ports along the way.

Our bed...front of the yacht;
windows on both sides

View from the dock out our wee window,
looking toward Nanaimo, 

What a shocker to discover the marinas—though wifi was advertised—had terrible reception and connections…much to my dismay.

Princess Louisa Bay, GORGEOUS

The Lone Star Maid II moored
behind Ron and I :)

But we are to rejoice in the Lord always, right? So I did. I mean, every day held new adventures and so much to see and do. I got more exercise than in the whole of last year, I’m sure.  When you’re on a boat, and you dock, to go anywhere, it’s on foot! Though I got way off my weight loss program, I only gained five pounds of the seventy-five I’ve lost this past year! Thanks to all the hoofin’ it, I’m certain!

Arrow points to where we're docked at the Wharf
Street Marina in Victoria from the Otter plane!  

Ready to board this 'Otter' 1st time to
fly in a small plane! Vancouver Island tour!

 But, the answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind...the answer is blowing in the wind :) And so is my hair here. The temperatures were in the 40s at night and 60s during the days--much better than the 100 degree Texas days we missed! And there was always a stiff breeze. I usually kept my hair twisted so it wouldn't tangle. But here...well...it tangled! :)

I pray you all are given the opportunity to go and see and do things you never imagined. And I covet your prayers that I will be obedient and slow down and get more rest! Oh! And I did get thirteen chapters written of Covering Love, book eight in my historical Texas Romance series written on the boat! ;)
I want to testify that God is good ALL the time!

So what have you been doing so far this summer?

Bio: Caryl McAdoo loves God and currently writes four Christian series: the historical ‘Texas Romance’ family saga; a contemporary ‘Red River Romance’; The Generations, her Biblical fiction, and the newest Days of Dread Trilogy for mid-grade readers. A.K.A. the “Singing Pray-er” loves praising with new songs the Lord gives her and prays her story gives God glory! In 2008, she and high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from DFW to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and sixteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings, believing all good things come from the Lord. Besides glorifying Him, she hopes each title also ministers His love, mercy, and grace to its readers. The McAdoos live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State with two grandsons.

Latest release: AT LIBERTY TO LOVE, book 7, Texas Romance series / Obedience is better than sacrifice…and trumps romance, no matter how sweet. Profound loneliness propels a childless widow west with the idea of choosing an orphan to share her life. On the way, a fellow traveler takes her by surprise. She never dreams, is unprepared, doesn’t need another man, but can’t get him out of her head…or heart. He’s so perfect—every bit the one she’d searched for as a young woman—except his mistrust of God has erected a wall she cannot breach.
     Marcus Ford blames God and struggles for peace after losing his wife and baby. Not once has he considered another woman could be the answer, but the widow is like none other he’s ever met. He falls hard, but plans are taking him east. Hope dashed sends two hearts into the pit. If only Ford could forgive God or the widow ease up on her adamant resolve.
Will God’s mercy shine a beacon in the fog of despair and prove sufficient to heal their souls? 

Easy Summer Cobbler

Summertime at our house means outdoor meals and parties, and they usually call for simple recipes made with fresh fruits and veggies. My go-to dessert is often a fruit cobbler, made with peaches, blueberries, apples, or whatever fresh fruit is in season here in Michigan. Today, I’m sharing a quick, no-fail recipe for a cobbler that can be made with peaches, or as in the photo, with apples. (Makes four big servings, six small ones.)

 

Easy Summer Cobbler

Ingredients:

¼ cup margarine or butter

4 cups fruit (peaches or apples)

½ cup sugar

1 Tablespoon plus 2/3 cup Bisquick

½ teaspoon cinnamon

3 teaspoons brown sugar

2 Tablespoons milk

Mix fruit, sugar, 1 Tablespoon Bisquick and cinnamon. Spoon into 1 quart shallow casserole dish. Mix remaining 2/3 cup Bisquick with brown sugar. Cut in margarine or butter until the size of a pea.

Stir in milk, drop by spoonfuls on top of fruit. Bake 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream or whipped cream.

 

Don't forget to leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for Hemorrhaging of Souls by Nicola Furlong.

 

Blueberry Guest Post: Carol Stratton

When I think of blueberries, I think of the cool summers of Western Michigan. We lived on the coast of the mitten state for several years, smack dab in the middle of blueberry country. As someone who grew up in California, I hadn’t ever picked blueberries so I didn’t know about one of life’s little pleasures, the blueberry bush.

Almost every summer we lived in Michigan, I’d round up my four children and drive to a blueberry farm near our house. We’d go inside of a large tin shed where each one of us would grab a metal bucket with a rope attached to the handle. After I tied all the kid’s buckets around their waists, we walked down a wide sandy lane until we reached the blueberry bushes.

Blueberries grow about 4-5 feet tall and the bushes are round and wide. To pick the berries, you merely take a berry branch in your hand and with a rolling of the fingers, the purple blueish fruit drops into your bucket with a satisfying, “ping.” In only an hour or two it is very easy to fill the bucket, providing you don’t keep sampling the juicy fruit.

When we thought we had enough berries for the year, we’d take them back to the fruit shed where the buckets were weighted. All the way home, I’d be fantasizing about blueberry cake, pie and muffins, knowing I’d probably eat dessert for dinner that night.

In my novel, Lake Surrender, my character Aunt Nettie is renown in the area for her baking, and one of her favorite recipes is Blueberry Crumb Bread. By special permission, she’s allowed me to share the recipe with you.

Between the rich cake batter, juicy blueberries and crumb topping, I think you’ll find it’s the ultimate dessert.

Aunt Nettie’s Blueberry Bread

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 t freshly grated lemon zest
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 cups fresh blueberries (15 ounces)

Preheat oven to 375°F. 
Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Blend
1 1/2 sticks butter into flour with fingertips or a pastry blender just until mixture resembles coarse meal the size of corn kernels.

Take out 1 1/2 cups flour mixture and set aside for crumb topping. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar to crumb topping. Blend with your fingertips until large lumps form.

Whip sour cream, eggs, and vanilla, then add to remaining flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in lemon zest and blueberries and put in a buttered 13 X 9 pan. Sprinkle batter evenly with crumb topping.

Bake in middle of oven. When a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean the cake is ready, about 40 to 45 minutes. Cool cake in pan on a rack 20 minutes before cutting.

Lake Surrender Blurb:

Quicker than you can say "downsized, unemployed, and divorced," Ally Cervantes finds herself with the Pacific Ocean in her rearview mirror as she and her two children head to Lake Surrender in rural Northern Michigan to live with her aunt. The dry hills of California are a metaphor for her empty soul, but she can't afford to wallow in self-pity with an autistic son who can't make eye contact and a precocious twelve-year-old daughter counting on her to get it together.

With no other available jobs, Ally steps through the only open door for employment, working as head cook at a dilapidated Christian camp. Problem is, she doesn't cook and doesn't like religious fanatics.

But despite everything, she finds herself strangely hopeful as she learns her journey ends where the lake begins. Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Main Street books in Davidson, N.C.

Thanks for joining us here on the Stitches blog, Carol! I (Jennifer Fromke) am a native Michigander and blueberries definitely played a major role in my summers up there. I can't wait to try this recipe! Does anyone remember the children's book, Blueberries for Sal? Classic! I hope everyone has a chance to check out Carol Stratton's recent debut novel, Lake Surrender.

Did you grow up picking blueberries? Strawberries? Cherries? Leave a comment for a chance to win this week's giveaway.

Happy Grilling!

When I gave up eating meat I knew there would be issues. Like the time my mother-in-law called and quietly whispered into the phone, “I heard something about you. Is it true? Are you a vegetarian?” 

Now, granted she’s a Michigander and vegetarians in Michigan are likened with hardened criminals. Although, since the phone call she has seen fit to forgive me,  it also made her feel better to know that once in a great while I’ll indulge in a good bite or two of safely raised fish or chicken.

Anyway, while perusing the internet on a quest to discover something wonderful, I found Hallelujah Acres website. This site promotes a raw, organic, plant-based diet. There is plethora of recipes, raw and cooked. 

This Black Bean Burger is one of them, and it’s the best veggie burger I’ve ever tried. There is nothing special about it, except the burger is delicious!

Please visit their web site when you have time. However, everything in moderation, there is some eye-opening information there.

http://www.myhdiet.com/black-bean-burgers-by-connie/ 

The picture above is from myhdiet.com 

Black Bean Burgers

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 small onion (coarsely chopped)
• 1 medium red pepper (chopped)
• 4 medium cloves of garlic (minced)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 1/2 cups cooked or canned organic black beans (drained)
• 1 cup cooked brown basmati rice
• 2 cups fresh whole wheat bread crumbs
• Hot pepper sauce to taste (optional)
• Also optional is adding 1 tablespoon of Ketchup (from Rhonda's Recipe book)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Celtic Sea Salt

Instructions

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, red pepper, and garlic. Cook while stirring frequently until soft and onions are translucent. Stir in cumin, turmeric, and cook for an additional minute. In a food processor, combine beans, rice and onion/pepper/garlic mixture. Transfer to a large bowl. Add breadcrumbs and mix well. Season with salt and hot pepper if desired. Flatten 1/4 cup amounts of mix into patties and they are ready for the outdoor grill. Cook about 3-5 minutes each side. Makes 8 burgers.

plant-based diet and nutritional organic superfoods http://www.myhdiet.com/

Additional nutritional information can be found on the above web site.

You Might Be A Dolphin Lover If...

Aah, sweet summertime…

Now that schools have been dismissed for the summer break, families are packing up their coolers, loading up the SUV's to the max and heading to the nearest beach.

After my children went to college, I discovered I could go to the beach in September and stay longer for the same amount of money I'd paid for the summer months. The weather is beautiful and the crowds are much smaller…the perfect formula.

With that in mind, I booked a place in 2008 for three weeks. My dear friend, Lori, went with me for this dream vacation. Our children and husbands came to visit on the weekends, but the weekdays were all ours.

We read books, walked on the beach, watched dolphins, read more books, watched more dolphins, and ate whenever and whatever we wanted. Did I mention we watched dolphins frolicking in the ocean?

And then there was the day we still had our jammies on at two o'clock in the afternoon, sitting on the deck…watching dolphins.

In honor of my twenty-seven year friendship with Lori, this post is dedicated to her.

My list of "You Might Be A Dolphin Lover If…"

1. You are as excited about the last dolphin you see as you were the first…after three weeks of vacation.

A collage of pictures from our beach trip that hangs in my home office

2. Memories of dolphin watching with your friend come rushing into your mind…sweet memories.

3. Your husband tells you he's finally found a fish you get excited about.

4. You choose Sea World over Disney World as a vacation destination.

5. You watch reruns of the classic TV show "Flipper."

6. You slow your pace or increase your pace of walking on the beach…that depends on the dolphins.

7. You pay money to go for a dolphin watching excursion, to ride a rubber raft on the open sea.

8.Your idea of a fun filled week at the beach is not complete if you don't relax and enjoy the beauty and gracefulness of at least one dolphin swimming in the sea.

Whatever you do this summer, enjoy it with family and friends. The important thing is to make memories with those you love.


You can find Cindy over at her blog My Little Corner, http://www.cindyobrien78.blogspot.com

Yellowstone National Park is the Place!

Summertime is just around the corner and lots of people are thinking about throwing the kids in the car and trekking across the country to see a few places. 

One of the most popular destinations for decades now, has been Yellowstone National Park. Have you been there? Are you planning to take the kids one of these days? Can’t get out of town, but wish you could?

If you answered yes to any of these questions - and  even if you answered no - Yellowstone Memories by Jennifer Rogers Spinola is the perfect book for you to pick up this spring. It’s a collection of four novellas, all set in Yellowstone. Each story takes place in a different decade too, so you get to see the park at different points in history.

I visited the park as a teenager. When I read this book, I learned things I never knew, I remembered some of my time in the park, and I developed a much deeper appreciation for the park and it’s beauty.

Each story depicts a romance, including a wide variety of characters including a French-Arapahoe woman, a washed up cowboy, the builders of the park during the depression years, firefighters, park rangers, and scientific researchers. The wide array of characters reveals a vast range of activity in and around the park, while creating a personal window into several individual stories.

This book is a must if you plan to travel to the park this year. Or if you’ve already been. And if you are still snowed in, it might just help you escape the four walls of your home into a world where mountains hem in the vaulted sky, geysers, lakes, and wildflowers provide a backdrop for prolific wildlife, and this beautiful setting can make anything seem possible. 

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear "Yellowstone Park"?