It's here again...

It is starting again!! What you ask? The most wonderful time of the year of course!!! Christmas!!! I got me a tree today for my room and put it up with lights and my ornament collection!! It put me in the spirit a little!

 I also found some snoopy wrapping paper in my closet and decorated my door. It isn't perfect but I like it!

Thanksgiving back home...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I went home to NC with my family. We had a nice visit and I got to get some food from some of my favorite places that we don't have here..lol:) We ate out for Thanksgiving lunch and that is the first time ever that we have done that. My mom has always cooked at home and had everybody over so that was a change and it didn't taste like my mama's cooking,but I made the best of it and was thankful! Then we were blessed that night to get invited to my mom's Aunt for a Thanksgiving dinner with them and some cousins and another Aunt. The food was real good and I was thankful for that meal to spend time together!! We stopped in Maggie Valley NC as a stopping point coming home. We got stuck in traffic right before Nashville in a 4 mile stretch of road were 4 different wrecks,bad ones. We found out on the news the next day that somebody died in one of them. I wish people would just slow down and take their time and not be in a hurry. People are such a hurry these days on the road. Til next time I leave you with some pictures!! Also don't forget my Christmas book giveaway going on!! 

Finally calmed down a little on the ride

 Playing with my Grandpa's dog

 Beautiful scenes on the ride down and back

 A truck of turkey's on the road beside us. They made it through Thanksgiving..lol

Maggie Valley NC

 Maggie Valley Store we always stopped at

 Horrible traffic backed up

Book Review:The Bridesmaid by Beverly Lewis

I love Amish fiction and I love Author Beverly Lewis. So I recently read the new book "The Bridesmaid" by her. Joanna is three times a Bridesmaid but never a bride that is according to her sister. Joanna meets Eben while at the coast and the two fall in love. Their are things holding her in her town and things holding him in his town for either of them to get married. I liked this book. I didn't know when I got it that it was the 2nd in a series,but really I jumped right in and had no trouble. It didn't even seem like book 2. I think I will read book 1 though to see where the other characters come in at. It also talks a little about some of the people in other Beverly Lewis books. I got a little upset with her sister Cora Jane in the book at one point. I thought Joanna and Eben had a very sweet courtship. It didn't have a whole lot going on in the book I thought. Really no twist or turns and could kind of tell what was going to happen next. Other then that it was a nice little read for Amish fiction lovers!

Book Trailer on the book

I received this book free from Bethany house for my honest Review

Book Giveaway:Win a Copy of "A Merry Little Christmas"

Contest is Over
So I get lots of books I get to read and review!! My book shelf is crowded!! So I decided to give this one away to a reader. It is a Christmas book just in time for Christmas!! Open to only those in the United States due to postage. One winner will win this book. Giveaway will end on 12/1/12. Enter through the form box Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Fine Print:This giveaway is not connected with the author or anyone. This is just a personal giveaway I am doing on my blog!

I'll be home...if only in my dreams...

The holiday season is upon us once again. I have always loved this time of the year. We would always have family Thanksgiving with everyone at our house. Same for Christmas we would always have a get together on Christmas eve. Both events with lots of good food and laughs and memories made. I lived in the same home my whole life so I feel memories in every corner and part of that home. Now though is different no gathering's this year at home. Right now their are new people living in my home the people we are renting it too. Last year was our first Thanksgiving here in TN and we made it through our first one out here,but that Friday my grandma was put in the hospital and me and mom were in NC for a long time. In December my grandma went home to heaven. I didn't really think about Christmas last year so many people were in and out during my grandma's passing and we were staying with my Grandpa. We had a very quiet day and went to church. No big gathering's like years past. This year though will be the first Thanksgiving mom does not have her mom here and their won't be any big dinner at my home like years before. We plan to go out to eat for Thanksgiving. It's going to be so different. Christmas will be different and I think it will hit everybody this year because it won't be people in and out like last year during all the funeral things. These holidays will be different. So much has happened and plus with us moving out of state. We won't have home to come too. I am so thankful for everything that has been brought our way. It's just the little things that are big things to me that I will miss. Here are pictures from past years.

~Smelling food cooking when waking up on Thanksgiving and Christmas morning by mom working on the meals.

~The cozy sweet feeling of being in your home

~Dad putting up the Christmas lights and the whole house looking so pretty

~Making my snow town I made every year at Christmas

~Just being in our home together

I can't even begin to name all the things I hold dear in my heart. I don't know what the future holds and if we will ever get to move back home and be in that home again but I do know I have such dear memories within my heart that I would not trade for anything. I am truly blessed to have them. Not all have such good memories. I have grown up with many to last me many lifetimes. I am grateful for that.

Book Review:Christmas in Apple Ridge by Cindy Woodsmall

Cindy Woodsmall is one of my favorite Amish writers. This latest book out just in time for Christmas is 3 of her books in 1. I already owned and read "The Sound of Sleigh bells" and "The Christmas Singing". I wanted this one for the new book added in with this collection called "The Dawn of Christmas". I was not let down. I enjoyed all three of them and each set of people in each story. Each story filled with love and heartbreak. Each one worth the read til the very end. From Beth to Mattie to Sadie each with their own stories. Plus all 3 are in 1 book so you don't have to get each book separate. I love Cindy's writing and you will too! Perfect addition to any fan of Amish Fiction books.

More info on the book

Read a Chapter

Visit the Author

Cindy's Bio

I received this book free from blogging for books for my honest review.

Book Review:More Than A Bucket List

I have always had a small bucket list in the back of my head. Maybe a few have came true,but still yet to see some of them get done. I think we all have bucket list. It keeps me going sometimes dreaming about them. I got the chance to review this book and what a cute little book. It makes a wonderful gift or table book or just inspire you to get out there and do something. Their are tons of things and ideas in it for you to do in life. I like it also because it based around your faith and has bible verses and just some really great ideas and stories! Some of them are as simple as just cooking a meal for a neighbor and doing something for someone. It does not have to be big things,even the smalls things can be big things. It's about making them real. Great book for yourself or a nice gift.

I received this book free from booksneeze.com for my honest review.

Book Review:Courting Cate by Leslie Gould

The Story:In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Her sweet and flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County!

But the sisters' wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast rule: older Cate must marry first, before younger Betsy can even start courting. Unfortunately, untamable Cate has driven away every suitor-until Pete Treger comes to town, that is.

Prodded by the men of the area, Pete turns his attention to winning Cate's hand. But is his interest true or is there a scheme at play?

My Review:This was my first time reading a book by this author. I was not let down. I could not put it down and it kept me turning the pages to see what happened next. Cate had many trust issues and thought a lot on the comments people made to her and she formed herself into what others said about her. I found Pete to be very patient with her and bring her out of it. Some of the charaters I wanted to reach in the book and hit them. All of it just kept me reading and drawed me right in.  I can't wait to read the next in this series. Overall I learned from this book. I learned the only person you need to care about what they think of you is God. To not go by what others make you out to be. Amish fiction at it's best.

Read other reviews on this book tour by clicking here

You can visit the author website by clicking here

Buy the book by clicking here

A retelling of the Taming of the Shrew! Leslie Gould is celebrating the release of Courting Cate with a fun Kindle Fire Giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party (11/20)!

One lucky winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Courting Cate by Leslie Gould

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 19th. Winner will be announced at the "Courting Cate" Author Chat Facebook Party on 11/20. Connect with Leslie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at an Amish trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Courting Cate and join Leslie on the evening of the November 20th for a chance to connect with Leslie and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 20th!

Received this book free for my honest review

Who will it be?

Well it's the eve of the big day tomorrow here in the good ole USA!! We will find out who will got voted in for President for the next 4 years! I will be glad when it is over. I am so tired of my news feed on facebook being filled with pictures and status about Politics. I hate all the people fighting and bashing each others issues and their person they stand for. Can't everybody just quietly vote and spend the time they spend fighting in prayer for the country. I just want everyone to come together. I just like to see people getting along and in peace. So who will it be?

 

VS

We shall see soon!!

Thankful...

On Facebook I see many people doing the Thankful post for each day. I have not joined in it. I rarely re-post or go in with what is going around facebook at the moment. I am though oh so thankful in life. I may have days where I am down and feel like everything is falling apart with the OCD I live with,but I still am very thankful for all the things in my life. I could name so much stuff. I am very blessed not by riches but just simple things and all my needs supplied!

I am thankful for the Lord. Even though I fail him everyday. He never drifts away, it's me that does,but he always stays through everything the good and the bad. I don't know how people live their life without our Lord in theirs. I am thankful for the Lord!

My Family. What can I say? I truly have the best Parents and Sister. I am so close to my family and could never live with out them. They are the reason I wake up each day and keep going. I love my family. Family will always be there when everyone else walks out. I am thankful for my family!

My Dogs. I don't have children of my own,but these dogs of mine are my children. Daisy and Benji are my babies and I can't imagine not having them. They love me regardless of anything. I am thankful for those loving furry dogs:)

I don't need name brand stuff or eat at the fancy places. I am happy just going to sit in the kitchen eating homemade cooking or going to yard sales and thrift stores. I love just taking pictures and I enjoy the moment. I see and listen to stuff most won't stop for. The beautiful skies,the wind or birds talking,the rain falling down. All the stuff God made for us to enjoy that gets lost in a world of fast pace and technology. I am so thankful for just a simple life with simple things.