Hi-ya,
How's your week going? Been busy over here. Now that the Countdown is over, I'm back to checking some graphic design projects off my to-do list. I've also got a few paper crafty projects in the works, which I'll share as soon as I can. Something to look forward to.
There's also something pretty spectacular happening right in our back yard. (see photo above) Remember the sad day we lost a big beautiful ash tree in a storm and then how we went tree shopping and eventually replaced our big tree with an Autumn Blaze Maple? Well, the Autumn Blaze Maple (or "Blaze", as she's now affectionately called) is starting to change colors! She's definitely autumn-y and she's well on her way to blazing. I'll be sure to share more pictures as she turns more red. She's gonna be the prettiest tree on the block, one of these days. :)
A lot of you have mentioned lately, how much you appreciate my book recommendations, so as long as you find them helpful I'll keep posting them. I've got quite a stack to share with you today......I've been saving them up for awhile. There are quite a few historical fiction titles in this group, but don't worry -- they're not all historical. And even if you don't think you like historical fiction, you might give one of these a try.....you just might find out you like them after all. Think, Anne of Green Gables. Or Pollyanna. What's not to love about Anne of Green Gables and Pollyanna, right? And those are historical fiction stories. So see? You just might like these too! :)
Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson -- A very entertaining story about a group of women that were duped into thinking they were heading off across the country to own their own land, when in fact, they were really heading off across the country to be potential brides! This was a fun read and don't you just love all of those different dresses on the cover?
Under a Maui Moon by Robin Jones Gunn -- Now this book is definitely not historical fiction! It's very modern day and couldn't be set in a more beautiful location. A story of struggles both personally and within a marriage, and of renewal as well, this is a book that perhaps a lot of people could relate to. Robin Jones Gunn has been one of my most favorite authors since I was in my early 20's. She's written the bestselling Sisterchicks series as well as the widely popular Christy Miller series for teens. Plus, the colors on this cover couldn't make me happier!
Twilight's Serenade by Tracie Peterson -- Ahhh......the 3rd book in the Song of Alaska series......SUCH a good story! Tracie Peterson -- another of my all-time fave authors has done it again. I am at the point now, where I don't really even have to read the back of a Tracie Peterson book to know whether I want to buy it or not. I just know that if it's written by Tracie, it's sure to be well written and the story is sure to hook me in from the start. Twilight's Serenade did just that....I love these types of stories that are full of mystery and intrigue or some type of tragedy that has to be overcome in order to bring the story full circle, and of course there's a love story thrown in for good measure. Tracie Peterson has written over 80 novels now and while I'm sure I haven't read all of them, I've read a LOT of them and I've yet to be disappointed with any. Check her out!
the House on Malcolm Street by Leisha Kelly -- Another great story, though this one isn't set quite so far back in history as some of the others. This one begins in 1920 and tells the story of a widow and her sweet little daughter and the struggles they go thru. Leisha wrote The Wortham Family Series that started with Julia's Hope. While I didn't enjoy The House on Malcolm Street quite as much as The Wortham Family Series (those books were OUTstanding!), this was still a beautiful story and one that I would definitely recommend.
Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist -- Oooooh, this one was sooo good! Part of what made this book so fascinating to me was that it's story takes place at the famous 250-room (!) Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, which is totally on my list of places I'd like to visit one day! While the story is fiction and all of the characters are made up, there are elements of fact that were included in the story (the author explains this at the end of the book) and I just found this story to be soooo interesting. Working for the famous Vanderbilt family in the 1890's.....the rules back then were so different from today, that's for sure! This was a heart-warming read that I was kind of bummed to finish. I would have liked to have kept reading this one for awhile longer! A sequel would sure be nice! *wink*
P.S. If you've been to the Biltmore, leave me a comment and tell me all about it! I'd love to hear what it's like. I've heard that all of the furniture in the house is still original family pieces -- not replicas!
The Lightkeeper's Bride by Colleen Coble -- Ahhhh......another really fun story. Anytime there are pirates and treasure in the story, it's likely to be one that I'll enjoy. Sort of the Swiss Family Robinson coming out in me, I guess! Ha. I've shared several of Colleen's books with you in the past, as I've been reading her books for quite some time. Now in the interest of being completely honest with you, I should mention that I think I discovered a few minor discrepancies in this one -- you know how when you're watching a movie and the person is holding a drink that's almost empty and one second later, it's suddenly almost full? Just minor little things like that, however the little details that didn't quite match up were not in any way, detrimental to the story. It was still a great story of mystery, love and family and I would give it two thumb's up. :) In fact, I can't wait for the next in the series -- The Lightkeeper's Ball -- which I believe is due out in January. Yippee!
All righty, before I get back to the crafty projects waiting for me on my desk, I just want to share a couple of links that you might be interested in....
Vera Wirianta Yates is hosting a card drive to collect cards to be sent to the elderly living in nursing homes this holiday season. If you'd like to participate, check out all of the info on Vera's blog. She's even got drawings for prizes for each person that participates! Vera will also be hosting a blog hop this Saturday which, I'm sure, will be full of inspiration. If you'd like to participate in that, you can email Vera with your blog address and get in on the fun yourself.
Lastly, my friend Pam Wilson is hosting a card challenge on her blog in celebration of her 1 year blogiversary. She's also got quite a prize package put together for one winner, so check out her blog to see what you need to do to be entered to win!
Ok, Crew....that's all I've got for you today, but hopefully I'll be back soon with a crafty project for you. Time to crank up my mojo and get busy!
Toodles!
