THE MOSES QUILT

Kathi Macias has once again hit a 5 star rating.

Mazie and Edward have been together over two years and they both are in love with each other?  Then why is Mazie so reluctant to say Yes?  Mazie knows in her heart that Edward is the one that she wants to spend the rest of her life with, but when the big "M" question comes around, she is not able to get the word yes out.

Mimi, Mazie's great-grandmother has moved from Alabama to California to live with Mazie and her mother, Lilly.  Mimi is 93 years old and she knows that her time is coming to a close.  One night, as Mazie is getting her grandmother ready for bed, she asks Maize to open her chest.  The chest that for as long as Mazie can remember, was forbidden to anyone to open.

As Mazie opens the chest, she is asked to take out the quilt.  This begins a time of storytelling about the squares and what each one means.  Will Mazie finally find the reason that she has been so reluctant to give Edward the answer he is wanting in the time that both she and Edward sit at the bedside of Mimi listening as she tells the story of the quilt?  Or will the quilt be the one thing that will build a bridge between them. 

This was a book that I downloaded on my kindle from Netgalley.  My review is from my heart and I so encourage you to go out and but the book in February.  You will not be disappointed.  I started in one afternoon and finished it that night.  It is that good.  You will not want to put it down.  So what, if no one gets to eat supper or the kids have to put themselves to bed.  I am so blessed to have a hubby that understands my need to finish a book.  Loved it.

CHOCOLATE COVERED BALONEY (Confessions of April Grace)

 I am a member of NetGalley and I had requested to read the book "Chocolate Covered Baloney" by KD McCrite.

This is a great way to read free books by new authors.  You can download them to your computer or even better, your own Kindle.

So last night, I started reading and I got so tickled that I decided that I needed to share.  My hope is that it will encourage others to read the book.  This book is geared toward the 8 to 10 year olds.  As an adult I found the book to be so open and not a book to be read, when all others are asleep.

Excerpt from the book:

As soon as I was all brushed and washed, I went into my bedroom and picked up my Bible.  I opened it right up to the Lord's Prayer, read that, and then I read the Twenty-Third Psalm, then I read the Lord's Prayer again.  And then I reread the part in the psalm about the valley of the shadow of death and how God walks with us everywhere, and I figured, scared as I was, God would be with me in that white Corolla while Grandma was at the wheel.  I was still scared, but I felt better.  Then I went downstairs, got two dollars from Mama's purse, and went downstairs to where Grandma had just pulled up into the driveway.
I got in her car and kept thinking the Lord's Prayer and the Twenty-Third Psalm.
You know what Grandma said to me as she backed out of our driveway and onto the road?  Well, I'll tell you.  She said, "I sure do hope the deer stay in the woods tonight and stay off the highway. I can't see a blessed thing after dark."
"Lead us not into temptation through the valley of the shadow of death!" I hollered, without even realizing I said it.
"Mercy me child," Grandma said mildly, driving along Rough Creek Road like she didn't mind the rocks, the ruts, the holes, and the dark. "You have done got your Bible verses whopper jawed".

When I read this, it reminded me of the may times that my mother-in-law would take my Lexie to McDonald's in the mornings for breakfast.  She would tell me that she would hold on tight, because Grandma drove fast and would take the turns really fast.

April Grace is a young girl that has an older sister, Myra Sue, and she is full of secrets.  April is one that does not mince words.  She just blurts her feelings out, without thinking. I have laughed so hard at times during the book, that tears rolled down my face.  I would encourage anyone to read this book.  It is written during the time that families took time for each other and their neighbors.  If I was going to rate the book, I would give it a 5 star rating.  I love a book that can make you laugh and be clean.

UNBREAKABLE by NANCY MEHL

Why would anyone want to bring harm to a group of people that live by God's principles?  The people that live in Kingdom, only want to live their life in peace, adhering to the rules of the Mennonite Church.

Why would someone want to run Hope off the road?  Thankfully, Jonathan Wiese was on his way home and saw the red truck heading back her way again, after already running her off the road and turning her buggy over.  Then later, Avery was run off the same road and he was not so fortunate.  Who is trying to harm the people of Kingdom?  

Hope Kauffman, thought she had her life all together.  She and Ebbie Miller are looking forward to getting married in the near future.  That was until, Jonathan Wiese began to share his feelings the day he rescued her from the red truck and whoever was behind the wheel.  Is Hope drawn to Jonathan just because he would fight to protect her and shares his feelings with her, so unlike Ebbie? 

When  accidents begin to happen, the people of Kingdom begin to question.  Do they carry firearms or do they put their trust in the Lord, as they have been taught all their lives?  Jonathan wants to set up guards to watch over the town and carry guns,  while Ebbie wants to trust the Lord to take care of them.  Who is right and who is wrong?  

If the people of Kingdom were more open to protecting themselves, than relying on God, would things be different?  Doesn't God want them to protect themselves from harm?  When Hope is taken hostage, will Ebbie be able to save her or will it be Jonathan who comes to her rescue?  Which man will Hope decide to give the marriage quilt that she has been working on?


I definitely will recommend this book to others.  I loved the way that the author, Nancy Mehl, took the reader on a journey into the lives and emotions of the people of Kingdom.  Once I started reading the book, I did not want to put it down.  At every chance, I found myself sitting down with my Kindle and reading another chapter or two.

My mother-in-law introduced me to the books about the Amish and Mennonites early in my marriage and I have never gotten tired of reading about them.  I know that I could not live as they do, but I so admire the dedication that they put into everything they do.
  
If I was to rate this book. I would give it a 5 star rating.  

COWBOY AT HEART by LORI COPELAND and VIRGINIA SMITH

Jesse Montgomery has changed his life from being a cowhand and  a drunk.  Staying with some friends, he realizes that he needs to get out and go forward with his life.  He can't continue living off the good graces of his friends.  When Jonas Switzer's land is being taken right from under him, Jesse knows that he needs to help.  The problem is that Jonas is Amish, and they don't believe in fighting.  

Jesse decides that he will go ride the fence line and is shot in the back and left for dead.  Will Jesse heal quick enough  to help Jonas save his land before it is burned to the ground?  Does God have a new life in store for Jesse or will his past keep him from taking a chance at a new life? 

This is the first book that I have read in this series.  If I had realized there were others before, I would have read them first.  I loved this book.  I started reading and did not want to quit.  As soon as I could I would grab my kindle and start reading again.

I was so glad that I was able to enjoy the book as much as I did, having not read the previous ones.  When I started reading, I wondered how an Englisher Cowboy would fit in with the Amish.  The authors, Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith are a great writing team.  I am hoping that there will be another book after this one.  I would love to read how the new community continued.

I would give this book a 5 star rating.  I received this book through Net Gallery as an ebook.  If you love reading about the Amish and their daily lives, this would be the book.  This book is not your typical Amish book that only deals with the Amish community.  It gives the reader a glimpse  of what they have had to go through to build their homes among the English.  You will not be disappointed.  This is a book that can be read alone.  But, how much more fun it would have been to start with the first one.  My daughter, Mandy and I have a thing about starting in the middle of a series, but if you don't have the others ones, you will surely enjoy this one.  Happy reading!

This book will be released in April 2013.

Grandchildren Are So Special

Today has been a lazy Monday.  The grandchildren slept in this morning.  So while they were a sleep, I cleaned-up some around the pool, read a chapter in my book, cleaned alittle and then decided to end up at the computer.

µy new cooker, Love it!

The first of May, Bridgett and I had gone to  the grocery store and found that they had bags of "Chicken Bites".  Earlier in the week, Bridgett had bought a bag and found that they tasted just like the ones that you could get from McDonald's.  So knowing that they would not be getting anymore, since it was a special order, we proceeded to buy all they had (13 bags).  


I realize that this really sounds like over kill.  And, I suppose looking back, perhaps it was.  But the bags were only $5.00 each.   Considering that just for the small order from McDonald's was $1.99, we felt that it was a great buy.


Have I kept  them for myself, no.  I have shared bags with my Bridgett and my sister.

Why would a person buy so many?  To make sure that I have something that all the grandchildren would eat.  I remember growing up and staying at my Grandparents.  My Grandmother would not ask if there was something that we enjoyed eating, we would eat what ever it was she put on the table.  I do believe that Grand parenting has changed.

I do enjoy fixing things that my grandchildren like.  Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, hot dogs, pizza, french fries, mac and cheese, and of course pancakes.  I even make sure to have snacks and sodas that they like.


Being a Grandparent is great.  I am so blessed to have three granddaughters and two grandsons.







So what are the granddaughters doing now?  Well, here are some pictures to show just a moment in their day.

Shelby enjoying her Dr. Pepper, while Louie enjoys resting

Caitlin standing in the kitchen doing her make-up

Both Shelby and Louie resting

Now, that Caitlin has decided to get dressed, it is time that we go somewhere.

NEW HAIR COLOR

Today was set apart to get my hair colored.

My favorite person to color my hair is my daughter, Bridgett.  I could go to the salon and have it done.  But this always give my Bridgett and myself time to share.  It is amazing the topics that we discuss.  From the grandchildren, to politics, to discussion on the Bible, and beyond.

Today, was a variety of topics. We started out talking about the man on the internet that is I believe only 30 and he has 40 children.  So sad, really, they take money out of his pay check and some of the mothers only get $1.49 in child support.  What can a mother do with that amount of money?

Then we discussed the world situation and what my Tommy has been sharing.

Now, I normally use the L'Oreal or Revlon hair color, but I had been reading about the reviews for the new hair color from Avon.  So I decided to purchase 4 boxes of the Light Brown.

The reason I had started using the Revlon, was because this one was listed as the best one to cover gray.  I have used it in the Light Brown and have liked the color.  The only thing that I have not been happy with is when I wash my hair.  My hair feels like straw before putting the conditioner on it.  Is my hair soft after I dry it out, yes.  So, I suppose this is just the way that store bought hair colors do.

I did like the smell of the Avon hair color and the way it felt after I finished styling.  Now, it did not feel as rough wet as with the Revlon brand.  Will I use the Avon brand again, probably.  I was able to get the boxes at under $5.00 a piece.  So this was a good savings, compared to the L'Oreal brand, yet the Revlon one that I use is under $3.00.

Logan's 4th Birthday

I just realized that I have not posted since Easter!

So today, I got to thinking that I needed to get on the ball and start posting about my life and those in it.

Today, was Logan's 4th birthday.  Now this young man is not my grandson, but one of our renter's  children.  His mother, Ramona invited me to attend.   I love having children on the place.  All of our girls have grown up and so I get to enjoy other's little ones.

My husband, Tommy decided that it would be a great day to bring out the tractor.  Yes, the very one that he took our youngest granddaughter, Shelby on last summer. The same one that quit 2 miles from the house and they had to walk all the way back home.  In the heat!  Was our Shelby very angry at Caitlin and her Nana, Yes!!!!!!

 Logan with his daddy

 My hubby, Tommy and his tractor

I decided that today, was the day that I was going to do something different.  I am going to start taking pictures of the things that happen in my day and post them.  Hope that you have enjoyed the pictures.  Have a blessed week.