Meet, Miss Jean.

I am adding another blog to my sidebar this morning. I was so excited when I discovered her through Honest to Ya~Ya. I'd like you to meet Miss Jean, at In The Garden with Miss Jean. Miss Jean, has an adorable Scottish Terrier puppy named, Maggie. I was hooked immediately. But, the list goes on. She lists as favorite movies Calendar Girls and Fried Green Tomatoes. I thought that was interesting, as I don't come across that any more often than I do someone blogging about their Scottie. She also listed a few more of my favorites like Bourne Series, French Kiss, Hope Floats and While You Were Sleeping. She likes gardening, bees and the color pink. Shes' in! I am looking forward to following her garden, grandchildren, Maggie and her beautiful quilting. Pop over and see her, it's a lovely blog.

Be blessed!

I made it!

Reading and reviewing... which do I like better?

Remember me talking about getting on a request a book waiting list, and the title of the book was, Carrot Cake Murder? Well it is the tenth in JoAnne Fluke's, Hannah Swensen mystery series and was released February 26, of this year. Well, I finally got the book and just finished it. Whoo Hoo!! Just in time to start my first book First Among Equals, by Jeffrey Archer, for the I Heard it through the Grapevine, challenge. So tonight I crawl in bed with a new book. :-) I enjoy Jeffrey Archer and will do a review on First Among Equals for I Heard it through the Grapevine. By the way, there are some great books being read by a number of women over there. If you like book reviews, be sure to check in with that blog.

Here is the list of the Hannah Swensen mystery series in chronological order. Although each book stands alone well, and Ms. Fluke briefs the reader on those gaps you would miss by reading them out of sequence, I highly recommend you read them in this order. Every time I picked one up, it was like going home and being with friends and family. Cream Puff Murder, will not be out until March of 2009. Oh well, that will give me time to get a lot of other books read that I have been meaning to get at.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder
Strawberry Shortcake Murder
Blueberry Muffin Murder
Lemon Meringue Pie Murder
Fudge Cupcake Murder
Sugar Cookie Murder
Peach Cobbler Murder
Cherry Cheesecake Murder
Key Lime Pie Murder
Candy Cane Murder   (an anthology collection with Laura Levine and Leslie Meier)
Carrot Cake Murder

Keep reading!


September 2013
UPDATE:  Ms. Fluke has written seven books since Carrot Cake Murder. In order they are:

Cream Puff Murder
Plum Pudding Murder
Apple Turnover Murder
Gingerbread Cookie Murder   (an anthology collection with Laura Levine and Leslie Meier)
Devil's Food Cake Murder
Cinnamon Roll Murder
Red Velvet Cupcake Murder

Across the Pond

This morning I made a great little discovery. Well, actually my husband made it sometime last night after I had gone to bed and emailed me the link. Nevertheless, it is a great find. :-) Thanks, Jon! I will say right up front, I typically scan through an entire blog before I set it as a link in my "Blogs I Read" sidebar. I did not do that with this one. I highly doubt there is anything questionable or objectionable, or particularly controversial on this blog. The reason I have set it in my side bar is the basic purpose and content the writer pens. Stephanie Fosnight, has "...left her job as a Pioneer Press reporter in September to spend a year volunteering in Nottingham, England." For those of you that know me, you know she is living a life I ponder often. So, I will be following her blog over these next months. You may visit or follow her journey at, Across the Pond.

Follow your dreams!

I heard it through the grapevine.

Lynne, over at Lynne's Little Corner of the World, is offering a reading challenge. The challenge is simply to read three books that you have never read before, that have been recommended to you by others. You can have read other works by an author, just not the one you select for the challenge. You must be signed up by May 1, which is when the challenge begins. You need to be done reading and posting your review of each book by, November 30. You are welcome to read and review more. Here are my selections.

1. First Among Equals
I have read a few short stories out of Jeffrey Archers', Twelve Red Herrings. I was amazed at Lord Archer's ability to lure me in, twist me about, dash my expectations, make me gasp, and finally end a short little story with an ending I would never have guessed, or imagined. What amazes me more is that I did not follow through and read more of the books he had written. A while back, my husband recommended I read, First Among Equals. The book has been on my "to read" list since. I think this is the perfect time to pick it up and do just that. It will be my first read for the challenge.

2. Battlefield of the Mind
I own and have read some of Joyce Meyer's, books. I like her candid style, and ability to present biblical truth at her own expense by using scenario's from her own life others may try to skirt, or ignore. A very dear friend of mine is facing the one year anniversary of her husband's death. This has been a very difficult year for her and the grief is particularly heavy right now. We had lunch together not too long ago and she said she was able to get past some of the pain she thought would prove insurmountable, because of the concepts she read in Joyce Meyer's book, Battlefield of the Mind. Again, this book is already on my shelf and my list of to be read. This will be the second book I read for this challenge.

3. The Body in the Transept
For my third book I have chosen a murder mystery. No big shock for those of you that know me. My good friend Millie, recommended this author. She did not recommend this particular book as she does not read murder mysteries. She, knows however that I like a good cozy whodunit, and she knows how much I like to read about, England. Here is a little about the book from the author Jeanne. M. Dam's, web site.
The Body in the Transept
"My first book, my first-born child! Dorothy Martin, an American expat living in England and feeling very sorry for herself on her first Christmas Eve as a widow, stumbles over a body as she is leaving the cathedral after the midnight service."
Sounds good to me! Millie knows this author and was excited to tell me Ms. Dam, lives in South Bend, Indiana. South Bend is less than an hour from where I live, and I am quite familiar with the city.

If you would like to follow this challenge, you can go to the I Heard it Through the Grapevine, blog.


"When I discovered libraries, it was like having Christmas every day."
~ Jean Fritz ~

Handbag Hoot!

Yesterday, Sarah over at BritGal, began an "Handbag of the Day" feature on her blog. She faced one of those little chores we often avoid and wish we hadn't, she tidied her handbag wardrobe and cleaned each one out. Realizing she had 41 bags and being 41 years young, she felt there was some significance there. So, for the next 41 days she will be featuring one bag a day, giving each a proper name and the story behind each treasured possession. I have seen some really wonderful and fun things on blogs, but this is so creative and I know will be so much fun that I have called this post, Handbag Hoot! I won't miss one of these I can assure you. You can click here to go to the very beginning of this journey. Sarah has already posted her first bag, Fleur, so you might want to get over there and get started.

Have a hoot!

With a little knowledge, finances can be your friend.

Hi! I would like to introduce you to, Dave Ramsey. I
typically do not post on finances or economics. Our personal finances are essentially just that, personal. Finances can and often do bring out the core of where we live. They reveal so much about who we are. I have heard it said that if you look back over an individuals check book register or bank statement, you will see exactly how they live and what is important to them. How true that is. I imagine in part that is why Matthew, records Jesus' words in Matthew 6:21, " "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." But economics are another thing altogether. Economics affect us all. Of course, they are only a corporate reflection of the handling of individual finances. Economics, is the topic of many meal time gatherings, a favorite topic for the media, a major factor in the stress level of many, and the bane of most, at least those that are not particularly affluent. Unfortunately, the population at large does not appear to have grasp significant enough on the mechanics of personal finance for it to be an asset and friend, rather than a liability and enemy. Therefore, economics receives the undue power of being a four letter word. Fail! This is not a necessary plight for anyone. There are simple ways that require just a small amount of information, and a certain amount of desire, discipline and determination to achieve personal financial success. Since the day I began this blog, I have had made a link available for what I believe to be the very best financial teaching available. Dave Ramsey, has made personal finance extremely easy for the average person to understand. Even I get it now. If you have read this post thus far, you owe it to yourself to take a look at what he has to offer.

Now, why the change in my operating procedure? I decided to address this topic of consternation, confusion and personally sequestered angst out of irritation. If I were to allow it, I would be weary to the point of the hopeless discouragement I hear spoken all around me. It absolutely amazes me how so many believe our economic prognosis is so portent. Personal finances are personal, but I have resolved myself to the idea that I am going to counter those disparaging remarks with a few positive remarks of my own, from now on. I am guessing that those that like to trash talk finances, and the way the world is headed for a certain gloomy doom, will either have their interests piqued by my comments and want to learn more about succeeding, or simply, stop peddling their media influenced down trodden blues to me. I am hoping for the first of those two possibilities. Though it may sound so, I am not a mean person. Quite the contrary. It breaks my heart to hear and see people not only buy and believe disheartening propaganda about anything they hear about finances, but to also to live it out. That dear reader, is why I changed my operating procedure here. If I can in some way make a positive impact in someones life, I grab it with both hands and run like the wind with it. I have lived many years defeated in so many areas, to the point of imprisonment, that I love to see people become free. That is one of the things I love about the, Lord. That's another post. :-)

So, I do get the Dave Ramsey newsletter in my email every month. I want to share the newsletter I got for April, here on my blog today for you to read. The main article is very fundamental, relevant, as always it is easy to understand and very freeing! I hope you will take a few minutes and read this article titled, "Recession Proof Yourself".

And now, my little spin on this matter is going to get just a brief bit of air time here. Here it is.

To begin with, God wants to bless us! He is a good God, and delights in the total prosperity of his children. I am not shoving the Mercedes, mansion, jewels and frivolity show here. Prosperity means many things, but God wants us blessed in all areas, including finances, and adds no sorrow to get it to us. We just need to be obedient, and receive. Second, once we get a grasp on that scriptural concept, being able to give to others becomes the happy event it is meant to be. Just a note, the Bible gives us guidelines for giving, and the Holy Spirit leads each according to the way we are to give. Be prudent and not silly here. Last but not least, if we are not living in and enjoying financial stability, if we are not enjoying blessing, we can not be good givers, certainly not cheerful ones. We are blessed, to be a blessing.


Be blessed, and be a blessing!

Blogs I Read, additions.

I have added a few new names to the "Blogs I read" side bar. You may want to take a minute and check them out. Bookfan-Mary, is a wonderful book review blog. BritGal in the USA, Sarah, is a blog written by a delightful woman that hails from Manchester, England, and is learning the ways of yankies, as she has relocated in the heart of, Oklahoma. And then of course, there is Cozy Chicks. This blog is penned by seven murder mystery authors, Diana Killian, Karen MacInerney, Michele Scott, Maggie Sefton, JB Stanley, Heather Webber, and my latest wonderful cozy find, Kate Collins. They share things from their daily lives, their latest books and much more. You will also find a link to their web site. It was in exploring this web site that I found, The Wine Lover's Mystery Series. Michele Scott, writes this series as well as one about horses. Oh my, flowers, wine and horses. Eureka!! When I wrap up the Flower Shop books, I am thinking it is on to vino.

Be well!