Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Teaser Tuesdays ~ 2/28/12

Sweet Waters (Otter Bay, Bk 1)





~Inside, I immediately notice the smell.  Oranges, cinnamon, and nutmeg permeate the place, as if we'd just walked into an out-of-the-oven winter pie.~

"Sweet Waters"
Otter Bay Book 1
by Julie Carobini
page 150

~~~~~~


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title &; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Happy Teaser Tuesday!





Monday, February 27, 2012

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 2/26/12



Memory Verse ~
2/26/12-3/3/12

"And to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God.

Ephesians 3:19

(First Place 4 Health, "Living for Christ", Week 5)

Hide these Words in your heart and they will be with you always.

     
Please see my sidebar to see all the wonderful places I'll be linking up to.

Psalm 9


This week's Psalm is Psalm 9.
This is from the NIV.
Psalm 9 [a][b]

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.” A psalm of David.



1 I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.


2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;

I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.


3 My enemies turn back;

they stumble and perish before you.


4 For you have upheld my right and my cause,

sitting enthroned as the righteous judge.


5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;

you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.


6 Endless ruin has overtaken my enemies,

you have uprooted their cities;

even the memory of them has perished.


7 The LORD reigns forever;

he has established his throne for judgment.


8 He rules the world in righteousness

and judges the peoples with equity.


9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,

a stronghold in times of trouble.


10 Those who know your name trust in you,

for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.


11 Sing the praises of the LORD, enthroned in Zion;

proclaim among the nations what he has done.


12 For he who avenges blood remembers;

he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted.


13 LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!

Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,


14 that I may declare your praises

in the gates of Daughter Zion,

and there rejoice in your salvation.


15 The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug;

their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.


16 The LORD is known by his acts of justice;

the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.[c]


17 The wicked go down to the realm of the dead,

all the nations that forget God.


18 But God will never forget the needy;

the hope of the afflicted will never perish.


19 Arise, LORD, do not let mortals triumph;

let the nations be judged in your presence.


20 Strike them with terror, LORD;

let the nations know they are only mortal.


Footnotes:


a.Psalm 9:1 Psalms 9 and 10 may originally have been a single acrostic poem in which alternating lines began with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In the Septuagint they constitute one psalm.


b.Psalm 9:1 In Hebrew texts 9:1-20 is numbered 9:2-21.


c.Psalm 9:16 The Hebrew has Higgaion and Selah (words of uncertain meaning) here; Selah occurs also at the end of verse 20.




Have a great Monday!


Daily Tune ~ "Strong Enough to Save" by Tenth Avenue North

This week I'll continue to feature songs from the soundtrack of the movie "Courageous".  Tenth Avenue North is becoming one of my favorite artists/groups.




Enjoy!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Daily Tune ~ "Your Love" by Brandon Heath

Song #4 on the "Courageous" soundtrack.

His love is enough!



Enjoy!

Feel Good Friday & {this moment} ~ 2/24/12

 {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo (or 2, or 3) - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.



************************

"Just make a list. List 5 things that made you really happy this week. No matter how bad or boring you think your week was, I bet you can find 5 things."

1.  Planning Steph's baby shower!
2.  Picking out yarn colors for the Bernat CAL!
3.  Figuring out Clue #2 to the Bernat CAL!

4.  Grammy & Pappy Day!

5.  Snow Crocus' poking their way up throgh the earth!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Bernat CAL Clue #1 Results

The 2012 Bernat Crochet-A-Long (CAL) started with the first clue last Wednesday, February 15, 2012.

I was a few days late to the party but had enough yarn stash that I didn't need to order anything or make a special shopping trip.  I just plopped myself down and watched some DVR'd shows while I worked the block for Clue #1.

You can find Clue #1 HERE.

Here are some pictures of my Clue #1 blocks all done:







This clue was actually fairly easy.  The next Clue looks a bit more complicated.

Clue #2 was posted yesterday.  You can find Clue #2 HERE.

I'll show you my results for Clue #2 next week.

I've also decided to make a second colorway at the same time.  I'll most likely be giving it away to one of my blog readers so I'll keep those colors a secret until the end.  Stay tuned...

If you're participating in the CAL and have a blog post featuring your blocks, please make sure to leave a link in the comment section.  I'd love to see your work!

Happy Crocheting!

Daily Tune ~ "Sound of Your Voice" by Third Day

The next song on the Courageous soundtrack is "Sound of Your Voice" by Third Day.  A beautiful song.



Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Teaser Tuesday ~ 2/21/12


Heiress (Daughters of Fortune, Bk 1)


~News traveled fast, even in the seaside town of Newport.  Jinx should have had the right to tell Foster the news, should have been entitled to see his face.~



"Heiress"
Daughters of Fortune Book 1
by Susan May Warren
page 109




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title &; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Happy Teaser Tuesday!





Daily Tune ~ "When We're Together" by Mark Harris

This is the second song on the "Courageous" soundtrack and it has found a very special place in my heart! 

Please take the time to dance!:)



Enjoy!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Psalm 8


I know I've missed a few week of sharing the Psalm for the week with you.  So to get back on track, this week's Psalm is Psalm 8.  Please read it out loud each day of the week for the full effect :) 

This is from the NIV.
Psalm 8 [a]

For the director of music. According to gittith.[b] A psalm of David.  
 1 LORD, our Lord,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!
   You have set your glory
   in the heavens.

2 Through the praise of children and infants
   you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
   to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens,
   the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
   which you have set in place,

4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
   human beings that you care for them?[c]
 
 5 You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels[e]
   and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.

6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
   you put everything under their[g] feet:

7 all flocks and herds,
   and the animals of the wild,

8 the birds in the sky,
   and the fish in the sea,
   all that swim the paths of the seas.

 9 LORD, our Lord,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 8:1 In Hebrew texts 8:1-9 is numbered 8:2-10.
  2. Psalm 8:1 Title: Probably a musical term
  3. Psalm 8:4 Or what is a human being that you are mindful of him, / a son of man that you care for him?
  4. Psalm 8:5 Or him
  5. Psalm 8:5 Or than God
  6. Psalm 8:5 Or him
  7. Psalm 8:6 Or made him ruler . . . ; / . . . his


Have a great Monday!



Daily Tune ~ "Courageous" by Casting Crowns

This week and possibly into next week, I'm going to be featuring songs on the soundtrack from the movie "Courageous".  If you haven't seen the movie, please, do but make sure you have tissues with you.

I know I've shared this song with you before but I thought it only appropriate to start off withthe title song from the movie and soundtrack.



Enjoy!

P.S.  Courage/Courageous just happens to be my One Word for the year!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 2/19/12



Memory Verse ~ 2/19/12-2/26/12

"He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.

Ephesians 2: 14-15

(First Place 4 Health, "Living for Christ", Week 4)

Hide these Words in your heart and they will be with you always.

     
Please see my sidebar to see all the wonderful places I'll be linking up to.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Feel Good Friday & {this moment} ~ 2/17/12

 {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo (or 2, or 3) - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.



************************

"Just make a list. List 5 things that made you really happy this week. No matter how bad or boring you think your week was, I bet you can find 5 things."

1.  Kaylee had her very first Valentine's Dance with a date (Sam)!

2.  Laken has her very first loose tooth!

3.  Shopping on Saturday with Kaylee!
4.  Reading the wonderful Valetine's card Doug picked for me!
5.  Watching the red tulips Doug got me open and bloom!


Daily Tune ~ "Suitcases" by Dara Maclean

Lovin' this song!!!



Enjoy!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Book Review: "The Desires of Her Heart" by Lyn Cote

(Check out my new/old book review format.  Lots more fun than a run-of-the mill review so I decided to go back.)


Texas Star of Destiny Book 1

The Desires of Her Heart (Texas: Star of Destiny, Bk 1)
Book Description:
 A New Orleans lady and a half-breed frontiersman become unlikely allies as they travel the wilds of texas. — In 1821, when circumstances make it impossible for her to remain in New Orleans, Dorritt and her family head west to join Stephen Austin's settlement and recoup their fortune in Texas.

Quinn is a man of the frontier who has made a name for himself as a peerless scout. But as he and Dorritt's party begin a grueling trek across untamed Texas, the success of their journey is in grave doubt. Mexico has broken with the Spanish Crown, and armies from both countries—plus marauding Comanches—roam the pine forests and prairies. And one of the party is plotting destruction.


Now, with their lives joined in a virgin land fraught with peril, can Dorritt and Quinn put all their trust in God and receive the desires of their hearts? 


My Overall Feeling of the Book:
Although it took me over a week to make it through the book, it wasn't because it wasn't very interesting.  It really was but life keep getting in the way.  I really liked the setting and time period and definitely the main characters.

My Favorite Character:
Dorritt, the leading lady.  She had such a strong faith and determination.

My Favorite Scene:
When Dorritt gives Quinn a chance to profess his love and he refuses.  Such ANGST!!!

My Favorite Sentence:
"The two Mexican foot soldiers each picked Kilbride up under a shoulder and dragged him out."  ( finally!)

It Woud Have Been Better If:
I was a little thrown off by the name Dorritt.  I wasn't sure how to say it in my head and it just doesn't flow for me.  I looked it up on http://www.babynames.com/ and apparently it is a diminutive form of Dorothy and there is even a Charles Dickens novel titled "Little Dorrit."  I wonder how the author chose this name for the leading lady?

I Would Recommend This Book To:
Historical romance readers, Texans, those who love the history of the Alamo, older sisters with pampered younger sisters.  Anyone who enjoys a good story.
Book 2 is waiting for me my shelf.  It will be my next read!

Daily Tune ~ "Free" by Dara Maclean

My newest CD is by Dara Maclean.  I love the soulfulness of the entire CD.  Here is one of the songs.



Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Daily Tune ~ "Valentine" by Martina McBride

This was our wedding song.  We were married in September but our first "communication, per se" was a e-valentine that Doug sent me.  My heart about beat out of my chest!



Enjoy!

Teaser Tuesday ~ 2/14/12

Still on the same book but this teaser is a good one for Valentine's Day!



The Desires of Her Heart (Texas: Star of Destiny, Bk 1)


~She came willingly and was soft within his arms as he had imagined.  At first, all he could do was process the sensation of her resting against him.  The feeling went to his head like too much sun.~



"The Desires of Her Heart"
Texas Star of Destiny Book 1
by Lyn Cote
page 162





Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title &; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Happy Teaser Tuesday!





Monday, February 13, 2012

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 2/12/12



Memory Verse ~ 2/12/12-2/18/12

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2: 8-9

(First Place 4 Health, "Living for Christ", Week 3)

Hide these Words in your heart and they will be with you always.

     
Please see my sidebar to see all the wonderful places I'll be linking up to.

Daily Tune ~ "Good Morning" by Mandisa

Boy, do I need this song this morning!




Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Teaser Tuesday ~ 2/7/12


The Desires of Her Heart (Texas: Star of Destiny, Bk 1)


~Hours passed, and then she found him.  He lay facedown on the sand.  So still.  The river turned sharply inward here, forming an eddy, or pool.~



"The Desires of Her Heart"
Texas Star of Destiny Book 1
by Lyn Cote
page 61





Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Happy Teaser Tuesday!





Daily Tune ~ "Yours Forever" by Dara Maclean

This is a new artist for me.  What do you think?




Enjoy!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Daily Tune ~ "God Gave Me You" by Dave Barnes

I love Blake Shelton's version of this song.  I don't know who recorded it first but I just heard Dave Barnes sing it on KLOVE. 

No matter who sings it, this is a great song!



Enjoy!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Daily Tune ~ "Come to Me" by Jamie Grace

One more from Jamie Grace for the week.  I hope you've enjoyed Jamie's music this week.  I especially like this song.  Really pay attention to the words.  The music is great too!



Enjoy!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Daily Tune ~ "You Lead" by Jamie Grace

If you haven't noticed, this is Jamie Grace week here on my blog, unofficially anyway.  I'm loving her CD and listen over and over until my hubby gets sick of it :)

Here's today's installment:



Enjoy!

Book Review: "For Pete's Sake" by Linda Windsor

(Check out my new/old book review format.  Lots more fun than a run-of-the mill review so I decided to go back.)


The Piper Cove Chronicles Book 2

For Pete's Sake (Piper Cove Chronicles, Bk 2)
 
Book Description:
 
Ellen isn't sure true love exists. That is until she landscapes the estate of the widower next door, Adrian Sinclair. Adrian has it all -- at least on the surface. A successful businessman, he's engaged to a beautiful woman and he'll soon have a stepmom for his troubled son, Pete. Yet from the moment Ellen rescues a stranded Adrian on her Harley, his well-ordered world turns upside down. With his business under investigation for espionage and his son pushing for the tomboy next door as his new mom, Adrian's facade of happiness shatters.

As Ellen and Pete bond, she realizes that Adrian is about to marry the wrong woman. Despite her resolve to remain “neighbors only,” Ellen is drawn to Adrian. But how can she be the one when he's engaged to a sophisticated beauty who is everything Ellen isn't?

As Ellen's three best friends step in to help her navigate this uncharted territory, Ellen must ask herself whether she's ready to risk the heart that she's always held close. Will Ellen trust that God brought this family into her life for a reason? Or will fear cause her to turn away from God's plan and her one true chance at love?

My Overall Feeling of the Book:
A great read.  Completely enjoyable.

My Favorite Character:
Definitely Ellen, the main character.

My Favorite Scene:
When Ellen passes Adian's 'Vette on her Hog and nods her head :)

My Favorite Sentence:
"A ballerina squared off in a fisted martial arts stance against Venus the Valkyrie might have been hilarious in any other circumstance."

It Woud Have Been Better If:
The next book in the series would be available.  From what I can tell it hasn't been published.  Book 1 was great though.

I Would Recommend This Book To:
Harley-loving-botanists, those with match-making mamas, tomboys who dress up as ballerinas for Halloween.  Any inspirational chick-lit, romance reader who loves a guy with a brogue :)

Can't wait for Book 3!