"Queen of the Castle" Reminder

If you are joining in on the reading of this weekly devotional, we'll be starting the first week in January.  I think I'm going to be posting on Tuesday, because that seems to be a good day for me.

If anyone has any suggestions on the read-a-long please let me know.  Do we each want to do our own post about our thoughts from each chapter?  How would you like to do it?  Leave a comment with any ideas!

The book contains "52 weeks of encouragement for the uninspired, dometically challenged or just plain tired homemaker."

Does this sound like you?  Would you like to do this study with me? 

Here's the book description from Amazon:

Being a keeper of the home demands that women possess a wide range of skills, from knowing what to do with a pound of ground round to being able to corral a rampant toddler and manage the carpooling schedule. Says author Lynn Walker, "By the time most of us realize we're a few towels short of a load in our homemaking skills, we're up to our thighs in dirty little soccer uniforms and don't have time to read a different book for each part of the job." Now the training, skills and tips every woman needs are all here in one delightful-to-read volume. From mothering to marriage, gardening to grilling, family vacations to flea markets, time management to Thanksgiving meals, chores and chocolate breaks, spiritual reminders and stress relievers, Walker presents "I've been there, sister" advice, recipes, ideas and funny stories for every woman who, like her, is NOT Homemaker of the Year. Five minutes a day, 52 weeks a year is all a woman needs to get the most of this inspiring, helpful read.

A few chapter titles are "Housework, Done Correctly Can Kill You" and "Trippity Doo-Dah:  The Family Vacation".

I've paged through the book and it looks great!  It contains quotes, specific prayer ideas, and key Bible verses.  There are even "Chocolate Breaks"!

So, if you'd like to follow along with me there's plenty of time to get the book.  Here is a link to buying it on Amazon or you can click the picture of the book at the top of the post.  You can buy it for as little as $0.90.

What do you think?  Are you in?  Do you want to be the Queen of Your Castle?  I know I do.

Books Read by AUTHOR

(This list is a work-in-progress and only includes books I've read since I started blogging.  I will add links to reviews as time allows.  If you would like to see a certain review, please use the search link on my sidebar.)

A

Aiken, Ginny - Design on a Crime
Alexander, Tamera - The Inheritance
                                - Within My Heart
Allison, Ariel - Eye of the God

B

Bateman, Tracy - Defiant Heart
Bergren, Lisa T. - Waterfall
Boeshaar, Andrea - Love Finds You in Miracle Kentucky
Borchard, Therese - Beyond Blue
Brand, Irene - Love Finds You in Valentine Nebraska
Brant, Marilyn - A Summer in Europe
Brendan, Maggie - A Love of Her Own
                             - No Place for a Lady
Bricker, Sandra - Always the Baker Never the Bride
                           - Always the Wedding Planner Never the Bride
                           - Love Finds You in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
                           - Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida
                           - Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas
Brooke, Barbara - Glimmers
Brouwer, Sigmund - The Orphan King
Bryant, Kathy - Texas Roads
Burrows, Grace - Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal

C

Cabot, Amanda - Paper Roses
                           - Scattered Petals
                           - Tomorrow's Garden
Carlson, Melody - Christmas at Harrington's
                             - Love Finds You in Sister, Oregon
                             - River's End
Cameron, Barbara - Heart in Hand
Caroll, Robin - In the Shadow of Evil
Carter, Mary - The Things I Do For You
Castle, Richard - Nikki Heat
Childs, Laura - Death by Darjeeling
                        - Gunpowder Green
                        - Shades of Earl Grey
Clark, Minda Starns - Secrets of Harmony Grove
                                  - Shadow of Lancaster County
Clipston, Amy - A Gift of Grace
Coble, Colleen - Blue Moon Promise
                        - Safe In His Arms
                        - Smitten
                        - Secretly Smitten
Collins, Suzanne - The Hunger Games
Connealy, Mary - Cowboy Christmas
                           - The Husband Tree
                           - Montana Rose
                           - Wildflower Bride
Conrad, Hy - Things Your Dog Doesn't Want You to Know
Copeland, Lori - Twice Loved
                          - Three Times Blessed
                          - One True Love
Cote, Lyn - Desires of Her Heart
                 - Her Abundant Jo
                 - Her Inheritance Forever
Coty, Debora M. - Fear, Faith and a Fistful of Chocolate
Cushman, Kathryn - Waiting for Daybreak

D

Dacus, Kaye - Art of Romance
                      - A Case for Love
                      - Menu for Romance
Daley, Margaret - Shattered Silence
Darlington, C.J. - Bound by Guilt
                           - Thicker Than Blood
Daughety, Annalisa - Love Finds You in Lancaster Co, PA
                                 - Love is a Battlefield
                                 - Love is Monumental
Davis, Susan Page - Love Finds You in Prince Edward Island Canada
Dobson, Melanie - The Healer's Apprentice
                              - Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa
                              - Where the Trail Ends
Doughty, Catherine - Breast Cancer!...You're kidding right?


E

Eakes, Laurie Alice - Lady in the Mist
Elkink, Deb - The Third Grace
Ellis, Mary - A Widow's Hope

F

Ferrell, Miralee - Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon
                           - Love Finds You in Last Chance, California
                           - Love Finds You in Tombstone, Arizona
Fisher, Suzanne Woods - The Choice
                                        - The Waiting

G

Giammatteo, Giacomo - Murder Takes Time
Girardier, Marty - How Shall We Feed Them
Gist, Deanne - Beguiled
                      - Bride in the Bargain
                      - Love on the Line
                      - Maid to Match
Goyer, Tricia - LFYI Glacier Bay Alaska
                     - The Swiss Courier
Gray, Shelley Shepherd - Hidden
                                       - Wanted
Griffin, Pamela - Love Finds You in Hope, Kansas
Gruver, Marcia - Raider's Heart
Gunn, Robin Jones - Under a Maui Moon

H

Hake, Cathy Marie - Serendipity
Hake, Kelly Eileen - The Bride Backfire
                                - The Bride Blunder
                                - Rugged and Relentless
Hale, Shannon - Austenland
Hanna, Janice - Love Finds You in Camelot, Tennessee
                        - Love Finds You in Groom, Texas
                        - The Perfect Match
Hannon, Irene - Against All Odds
                        - An Eye for an Eye
Harris, Lisa - Love Finds You in Revenge, Ohio
Harris, Yvonne - The Vigilante's Bride
Hatcher, Robin Lee - Belonging
                                 - Fit to Be Tied
                                 - A Matter of Character
                                 - A Vote of Confidence
                                 - When Love Blooms
Hauck, Rachel - Love Starts With Elle
Hechtman, Betty - Hooked on Murder
Hedlund, Jody - Unending Devotion
Heitzmann, Kristen - Indivisible
Higman, Anita - Love Finds You in Humble, Texas
                         - A Merry Little Christmas
Hodgson, Mona - Two Brides Too Many
Holle, Krista - The Lure of Shapinsay
Hunter, Denise - An Accidental Bride
                          - Cowboys Touch
                          - Driftwood Lane
                          - Finding Faith
                          - Mending Places
                          - Saving Grace
                          - Sweetwater Gap
                          - The Trouble With Cowboys

I

J

Jackson, Neta - The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down
James, Cara Lynn - Love on a Dime
Jensen, Laura - Becca By the Book
Jeschke, Melanie M. - Jillian Dare
John, Sally - After All These Years
                   - A Journey By Chance

K

Kent, Jillian - Secrets of the Heart
Kim, Penny - Desert Wedding
Kinnard, Deborah - Season's in the Mist
Klassen, Julie - The Apothecary's Daughter
                        - The Girl in the Gatehouse
                        - The Silent Governess
                        - The Tutor's Daughter
Kovic-Skow, Linda- French Illusions


L

Landis, Jill Marie - Heart of Stone
Leigh, Tamera - Leaving Carolina
Leon, Bonnie - Touching the Clouds
Lodge, Hillary Manton - Plain Jayne
                                       - Simply Sara
Long, Kelly - Sarah's Garden
Lough, Loree - Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska
                        - Love Finds You in Paradise PA
                        - A Man of Honor
Love, Dorothy - Every Perfect Gift
Ludwig, Elizabeth - Love Finds You in Calico California
                                - No Safe Harbor
Lynxwiler, Christine - Along Came a Cowboy
                                   - Cowgirl at Heart
                                   - The Reluctant Cowgirl

M

MacLaren, Sharlene - Abbie Ann
                                  - Hannah Grace
                                  - Maggie Rose
Macomber, Debbie - There's Something About Christmas
Mangum, Erynn - Match Point
                            - Miss Match
                            - Rematch
Mayne, Debbie - Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida
McDonough, Vickie - Anonymous Bride
                                   - Finally a Bride
McKinsey, R. - Sydney West
Mehl, Nancy - Inescapable
                     - Unbreakable
Messel, Greg - Last of the Seals
                      - Deadly Plunge
Mills, DiAnn - Attratcted to Fire
                       - Breach of Trust
                       - The Chase
                       - Sworn to Protect
                       - A Woman Called Sage
Mitchell, Siri - The Cubicle Next Door
                       - Kissing Adrien
                       - Moon Over Tokyo
Moceanu, Dominique - Off Balance
Mowery, Janelle - Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho
                            - When All My Dreams Come True
                            - When Love Gets In the Way
Murray, Tamela Hancock - Love Finds You in Maiden, North Carolina

N

Noble, Diane - The Last Storyteller
Nowadnick, Deanna - Fruit of My Spirit

O

O'Rourke, Sally Smith - The Maidenstone Lighthouse
                                      - The Man Who Loved Jane Austen

P

Palmer, Catherine - The Heart's Treasure
Parr, Delia - Hearts Awakening
                   - Love's First Bloom
Perkins, Stephanie - Anna and the French Kiss
Perry, Marta - Leah's Choice
Perry, Trish - Beach Dreams
                    - The Perfect Blend
Peterson, Tracie - Taming the Wind
Pettrey, Dani - Submerged
                       Shattered
Phillips, Krista - Sandwich With a Side of Romance

Q

Quinn, Julia - A Night Like This
                     - Ten Things I Love About You

R

Raney, Deborah - Remember to Forget
Richer, Lois - Shadowed Secrets
Rigler, Laurie Viera - Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict
                                  - Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict
Roberts, Nora - The Last Boyfriend
                        - The Next Always
                        - The Perfect Hope
Rogers, Martha - Becoming Lucy

S

Sawyer, Kim Vogel - Courting Miss Amsel
                                  - A Hopeful Heart
                                  - A Promise for Spring
Shepherd, Kandy - Love is a Four-Legged Word
Smith, Lori - A Walk With Jane Austen
Smith, Debra White - First Impressions
                                  - Northpointe Chalet
                                  - Possibilities
Smith, Virginia - Stuck in the Middle
Soto, Samantha - Before Ever After
Sparks, Nicholas - The Lucky One

T

Tang, Camy - Sushi for One?
Thompson, Janice - Fools Rush In
                               - Queen of the Waves
Tyndall, MaryLu (M.L) - The Falcon and the Sparrow
                                       - Surrender the Heart

U

V

Vogt, Beth K. - Wish You Were Here
Vogts, Deborah - Seeds of Summer
                           - Snow Melts in Spring

W

Warren, Susan May - Double Trouble
                                 - Escape to Morning
                                 - Expect the Sunrise
                                 - Finding Stefanie
                                 - Flee the Night
                                 - Happily Ever After
                                 - The Perfect Match
                                 - Tying the Knot
                                 - You Don't Know Me
Weaver, Joanna - At the Feet of Jesus
Whitson, Stephanie Grace - A Claim of Her Own
Windsor, Linda - Healer
                           - For Pete's Sake
                           - Wedding Bell Blues
Wingate, Lisa - Talk of the Town
                        Firefly Island
Wiseman, Beth - Plain Perfect
                          - Plain Pursuit
Witemyer, Karen - A Tailor-Made Bride
Woodsmall, Cindy - The Hope of Refuge

X

Y

Y'barbo, Kathleen - The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper
Young, Pamela Samuels - Attorney-Client Privilege

Z

My Weekly Bookishness ~ 1/7/2022

All things bookish!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What I Read:

5 STARS!!!  You can read my REVIEW HERE!

~~~~~~~~~~

What I'm Reading:

Blurb:

Adelynn Spencer, a spirited member of the Edwardian London upper class, struggles under the conditions of her engagement to Detective Inspector Baze Ford. But during the gala announcing their betrothal, events take a fatal turn when Adelynn experiences a vivid dream of a man dying with a knife buried in his chest. To her alarm, Baze and his men later discover the man exactly as she witnessed.

When Adelynn sees a second dream—a second victim—she tries to convince Baze that there are more sinister things at work. Choosing hard evidence over Adelynn's outrageous claims, Baze dismisses her and turns his attention to the location of the most recent crime, the Empress Theatre. Determined to uncover the truth of her visions, Adelynn investigates on her own. She infiltrates the theater and becomes spellbound by the charming spectacle of the resident magician.

As Baze wrestles with the decision to harden his heart or take action to protect the woman who means everything to him, Adelynn ventures further into the clutches of magic and murder. Can she keep her mind safe and draw the killer out of the shadows? 

First Lines:

London, 1913

I stared at the closed double doors looming through the darkness before me.

56%/Page 56

The warmth and natural feel of his hand in mine shot currents of heat though my back to the nape of my neck.

~~~~~~~~~~~

What I'll (Probably) Read Next:

Blurb:

Daffodil Caron is not a princess, even though she once dreamed of being one. After all, she grew up as a playmate to royal princes, running through the halls of Perrigwynn Palace and dining with the queen. But the day she stumbled upon a royal secret, everything changed.

Flash forward eighteen years, and Daffy’s living a sweet, non-royal life. A skilled art curator for the Royal Trust, she has friends, a flat in the heart of the city, and a handsome, successful fiancée. The last person on her mind is Gus, a prince she once called her best mate.

HRH Prince Augustus is no longer “Prince Pudgy,” as caricaturized by the press, he’s charming and gorgeous, possessing a world-famous smile. But when he’s jilted at the altar by an American heiress as millions of people around the world watched, the spare heir to Lauchtenland’s ancient House of Blue escapes, finding solace on a Florida beach.

A year as a regular bloke allows him to rethink his purpose. He’s half decided his calling is to pour pints at a tiki bar, rather than serving his country and the Family.

Until an accident on the beach with a Frisbee changes his course.

Despite his long hair and beard, Daffy recognizes her prince, and their childhood friendship is renewed. She assures Gus Lauchtenland needs him, giving him the courage to return home.

When Daffy and Gus find themselves on assignment to Hadsby Castle in preparation for his brother’s wedding, their friendship blooms into affection.

But Gus cannot, will not, trust his heart again. Daffy’s engaged. And she also remains a royal family outcast because she knows the Queen’s secret.

When affection grows into love and secrets are exposed, trust is destroyed. Gus must choose which is stronger: the lies of his past or the hope of his future. And Daffy must face every fear to prove she will forever love a prince.

~~~~~~~~~~

Book Haul:

 

   ~~~~~~~~~~

Book Blogger Hop:

Q.  Do you have a genre you haven't read before but would like to? (submitted by Sam @ Another Book On the Shelf)   

A.  hmmm????  Throughout my many years of reading, I think I've read just about all the genres that would appeal to me.  However, I haven't read very many biographies/autobiographies (think...1 :)  So, I would like to branch out and read more of those.  Any suggestions???

~~~~~~~~~~

Bookishly Yours,

Linking up to: 

   

  

 The Sunday Post, Sunday Salon,  Mailbox Monday

My Weekly Bookishness ~ 1/21/2022

All things bookish!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What I Read:

Review to come soon!

~~~~~~~~~~

What I'm Reading:

Blurb:

Daffodil Caron is not a princess, even though she once dreamed of being one. After all, she grew up as a playmate to royal princes, running through the halls of Perrigwynn Palace and dining with the queen. But the day she stumbled upon a royal secret, everything changed.

Flash forward eighteen years, and Daffy’s living a sweet, non-royal life. A skilled art curator for the Royal Trust, she has friends, a flat in the heart of the city, and a handsome, successful fiancée. The last person on her mind is Gus, a prince she once called her best mate.

HRH Prince Augustus is no longer “Prince Pudgy,” as caricaturized by the press, he’s charming and gorgeous, possessing a world-famous smile. But when he’s jilted at the altar by an American heiress as millions of people around the world watched, the spare heir to Lauchtenland’s ancient House of Blue escapes, finding solace on a Florida beach.

A year as a regular bloke allows him to rethink his purpose. He’s half decided his calling is to pour pints at a tiki bar, rather than serving his country and the Family.

Until an accident on the beach with a Frisbee changes his course.

Despite his long hair and beard, Daffy recognizes her prince, and their childhood friendship is renewed. She assures Gus Lauchtenland needs him, giving him the courage to return home.

When Daffy and Gus find themselves on assignment to Hadsby Castle in preparation for his brother’s wedding, their friendship blooms into affection.

But Gus cannot, will not, trust his heart again. Daffy’s engaged. And she also remains a royal family outcast because she knows the Queen’s secret.

When affection grows into love and secrets are exposed, trust is destroyed. Gus must choose which is stronger: the lies of his past or the hope of his future. And Daffy must face every fear to prove she will forever love a prince.

First Lines:

Let's begin here...

1938

Dalholm, Northton, Lauchtenland

It is said in the north country of Lauchtenland that the sea has a song and love blooms from the earth the same as flora and fauna.

56%/Page 56

She modernized policy and procedure, the staff pay, uniforms, and customs, all while skillfully keeping the valued traditions that made Lauchtenland an ancient European treasure.

~~~~~~~~~~~

What I'll (Probably) Read Next:

Blurb:

After growing up in small-town Hearts Bend, Tennessee, Gemma Stone set off to Hollywood to make her mark in the world.

But her ambition turned into a journey of a “thousand” bad decisions and after twelve years of seeking fame and fortune, Gemma returns home with a limp and a dark secret.

Now she runs a rescue ranch and is raising her friends’ orphaned daughter. She’s keenly aware these defenseless ones are also rescuing her. She just wants to stay hidden in the safe world she’s created.

HRH Crown Prince John has learned a royal title cannot shield him from heartbreak. As heir to the revered House of Blue and married to the love of his life, he believed his future reign would strengthen the royal dynasty of Lauchtenland. Then tragedy changed everything. Can anything save him from his grief?

When he travels to Hearts Bend on a mission for his mother, Queen Catherine, he’s drawn into the local life and cajoled into a three-legged race with the beautiful Gemma Stone during the 4th of July festivities.

While the event has a disastrous result, Prince John and Gemma form a quick friendship—one of two wounded souls finding comfort in one other. However, love is absolutely not an option. John desperately wants to hold onto the memories of his wife, and Gemma refuses to trust her heart to any man. Even a prince.

Then Prince John is called home for an emergency. How can he leave the woman who lifted him from his sorrows? But can Gemma join him on a royal stage and risk her secret coming to light?

With a touch of divine help, Prince John and Gemma just might find the kind of love that saves and ultimately write their very own fairy tale.

~~~~~~~~~~

Book Haul:

   ~~~~~~~~~~

Book Blogger Hop:

Q.  What is the average number of books you read per month? (submitted by Elizabeth @ Silver's Reviews)

A.  Sadly, last year was abysmal with only 1 book per on average a month.  This year's goal is 4 books per month or one per week.  So far, so good!

~~~~~~~~~~

Bookishly Yours,

Linking up to: 

   

  

 The Sunday Post, Sunday Salon,  Mailbox Monday

Queen of the Castle ~ Week 15

Week 15 ~ Adventures in Gardening
You can find the previous weeks HERE.

It is finally that time of the year.  Grass is getting greener, leaves are budding and trees, daffodils and other spring flowers are blossoming.

If you are anything like my husband, you have been pouring over the seed catalogs that started to arrive in the mail box mid-February.  He tells me his plans, but I know they will change 20 more times before the planting actually starts.  The latest news is that he wants to add a 4th garden plot right out in front of our house by the parking lot.  We'll have to see about that.

Here is a quote from Celestine Sibley's, Small Blessings:

"I have seen some of the great gardens in this country and some that are not so great but far, far better than my fondest dream.  And because I have yearned over seed catalogues, spent the grocery money for cow manure, wrenched my back shoveling, and sometimes emerged with little to show for it except the dirt under my fingernails, my pleasure in all gardens is multiplied a hundredfold."

Well, we haven't spent the grocery money on cow manure (yet) but I think I know what she means.

God gave Adam and Eve:

 "every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it...for food"  Genesis 1:29

****
These are some tips that LBW passess along from some gardening experts:

-Start Small.  You can always add to it next year.

-Soil preparation is key.  Break up the ground to about twelve inches and spread six inches of "organic amendments" such as peat moss or manure, then mix it in.

-Choose sunny gardening sites.

-Plant at intervals to minimize your rise.  (Plant some this week, then wait a week or two to plant the next batch.)

-If you're new to gardening, try planting the same flower in several locations to see where it does best.

-By planting in pots, you can move them around to find where they grow best.

-White plants are most easily seen in the dark, so use them along walkways or in dark corners of your yard to make that area "pop out".

-Plant the plants you loved when you were 6 year old, says her friend who is a landscape designer.

-And from the Master Gardener Himself:  water your garden if you want it to flourish (Is 1:30; 58:11; Jeremiah 31:12.)

"Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sigh and good for food."  Genesis 2:9

Please see my left side bar to see all the great places I'm linking up to!

Queen of the Castle ~ Week 8

Week 8 ~ Pray First, Act Later

You can find the previous weeks HERE.

Do you have a "lonely place" to be alone with the Father as Jesus did in Mark 1:35?

My "lonely place" is usually on my bed with my lap desk.  I go in and shut the door or tell everyone that I'm going to do my "devotions" now and they know that mean I need some peace and quiet so that I can pray and study God's word.  If Doug is on night shift that means he's in bed during the day so my  "lonely place" becomes the corner of the table near the sliding glass door.  Once again, everyone knows to leave Mom alone for a bit.  (that doesn't always happen when you have kids, though!)

We need quiet time with God to replenish us and fill up our tanks for the hours, days, weeks ahead.  When we are the busiest is when we need that time even more. 

For me last week, that time was in a hospital waiting room waiting for my dad to have some tests run.  I threw my 1st Place book and journal in my bag and took them along.  Sometimes we have to be creative.

We can pray as we wash dishes, fold laundry, drive back and forth for errands or picking kids up.

LBW has some prayer ideas:

-Before prayer, spend a few minutes in silence to prepare for the prayer.  Settle in and be aware of God's presence before starting.  I actually do this already.  I have to take a few minutes to just quiet myself of the activities of the day and settle into a prayerful mind.


-When over-burdened with life and you just can't get the words to form a prayer, try listening to music.  This is so powerful!  I listen to http://www.klove.com/ online.  They have great music and their motto is "Positive and Encouraging".  After listening for a while, I can feel my mood lighten.

-Write out prayers and date them so you can later look back and see how God has answered your prayers.  I sometimes write prayers in my journal.  Usually if I'm greatly bothered and really emotional.  This isn't something I do on a normal basis though.  I know people that write all their prayers and requests.

-Read a hymnbook if you have trouble praising God or being thankful.  It helps to read thoughts of praise and faith that have come from another person's spiritual walk.  Sometimes when I read the words of hymns, I'm amazed at how closely their feelings match mine.  I am amazed at the way the writers were able to put such thoughts and feelings to music and hand them down for generations.  What a great way honor to God.

"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Hebrews 4:16

Just a reminder:  LBW suggests looking ahead to plan for celebrating Easter.  This year Easter is on April 24th.  By not waiting until the last minute, we can take the time to fully appreciate all that Easter means.

Please check out my side bar to see all the great sites I'm linking up to.

Prayer, Blogkeeping & QOTC

On Monday's I ususally post a recipe that I've tried.  However, the past few weeks I've neither the time nor the inclination to do any more than the basic necessity of cooking.

Prayer:

I ask you all to keep my dad in prayer.  He is currently in the VA Hospital in Altoona, PA with a very bad blood infection.  He is on some heavy duty IV antibiotics and he is improving each day.  But I still worry because, well, he's my dad, and they still have to find out what caused the infection to enter the blood which sets my over-active imagination to work.

The hospital is about 45 minutes away, so we've been busy making trips back and forth and just trying to take one day at a time.

Blogkeeping:

I added tabs to the top of my blog a few weeks ago but have not had time to actually go into all my posts and make direct lists under the pages.  If I ever have time, I'll go in and try to get the back posts linked, but for now there is just a general link.

As of 1/1/11, I will be adding direct links under the "pages" as I post new posts.  That is the plan.  I may miss one or two but that is the way life goes.

I think I may also add a list of the link-ups I participate in on my side-bar rather than in each individual post. (a lot of redundant typing).  What do you think of this?  Is it disrespectful to just say "Please see my sidebar for the parties I'm linking up to today?  I'd love some opinions on this as I wouldn't want to offend any of the great party hosts.

QOTC:

Tomorrow (hopefully) will be my first Queen of the Castle post starting with "Week 1".  I'll be posting anything that strikes me or sticks out to me.  If you are also doing this "52 Weeks of Encouragement", you can do the same on your blog.  It doesn't have to be on Tuesdays, if Tuesdays aren't good for you.  But when you do post your QOTC post, please leave a link in my comments so I can come read what you thought of that particular week and maybe discuss what we got from the study.

Ok, I think that is all for now. 

As soon as my little one wakes up, we'll be heading off to Altoona to check on "Pappy".  Mom called him first thing this morning and he said he's feeling better and getting his appetite back.  Please keep him in your prayers for continued healing.

Thank you so much my bloggy friends!

BTW, the Steelers kicked some serious butt yesterday.  We are the Champions, my friends....

Queen of the Castle ~ Weeks 13 & 14

Week 13 & 14 ~ Easter Part 1 & 2
You can find the previous weeks HERE.

These two weeks, LBW, has basically made a list of way to make memories and traditions at Easter-time.

Here are some ideas:

-Read part of the Easter Story each day.  Day 1:  John 12:1-11; Day 2:  Luke 19:28-40, John 12:13; Day 3:  Mark 11:11-26; Day 4:  Matthew 24:26-44, 26:64; Day 5:  Matthew 25:1-16; Day 6:  John 13:1-17, Matthew 26:17-56; Day 7:  Luke 22:54-71, 23:13-25, 32-43, Matthew 27:45-56; Day 8:  Matthew 27:57-66, Isaiah 53:1-7; Day 9:  Matthew 28:1-15, Luke 24:1-49

-Treasure Hunt: Hide one small item every day, starting with the Saturday before Palm Sunday that corresponds with the Bible reading for that day. Examples: a small donkey; palm branches etc. The kids will hunt for the item each day and then keep them in a basket in the middle of the table to remind you of the Easter Story.

-Make Hot Cross Buns

-Serve Lamb in rememberance of the Passover Lamb.

-Make Dinner a special affair.

-Easter Hymns:  CD's by George Frideric Handel, Pierre de la Rue and Johann Sebastian Bach.

-Make music for the Lord with Praise.

-Use homemade Salt Dough to make the figures and props for the Easter story. Make them your centerpiece.

-Plan ahead and give Easter the same amount of celebration that you do Christmas.  Start early and make Easter much more meaningful for you and your family.

"You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."  1 Peter 1:18-19

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Queen of the Castle ~ Week 5

Week 5 ~ Celebrating Creativity
in Small Snatches

You can find the previous weeks HERE.

Question: Have you ever forgotten to make supper because you've been caught up in a project? My answer: yes.


According to Prevention Magazine, needlework can relieve stress by breaking your conscious train of thought.  It also decreases blood pressure and heart rate, slows breathing and provides feelings of calm.  They suggest practice your needlework craft at least twenty minutes a day.  (only 20 minutes?)

As you can tell from my blog, I've already figured this out.  There are certain things that I like to make sure I do everyday for my sanity.  Craft, exercise, read (fiction), Bible study, get outside and shower.  lol

As this week's lesson describes, I sometimes have to do these in small snatches, sometimes hiding myself away for a few minutes.

Does the "Call of Duty", aka, dishes, laundry, getting the 5th drink for a pre-schooler, sometimes get in the way?  Yes, and that is when I have to reset my priorities.

Susan Branch, says: "Homemaking is the most creative job there is--we're always making something from nothing! It's cooking, decorating, gardening, arranging and planning--not to mention child care, which requires a Michelangelo of Creativity--all tru arts."

Even my "Household Duties" can get in the way of my main priority:  raising godly children and taking care of their needs.  Physical, mental, emotional and all those other aspects that make up kids. 

I can get caught up in the "I want to get all the major cleaning done today" whirlwind and might miss the special moment of playing in the snow with Daddy and the girls.  This happened the other day.  Guess where I ended up?  Out in the snow getting wet and cold and having a ball doing it.

I love my job.  I am a homemaker, wife and mother.  I love that I can be creative in my job and move tasks aroud on my schedule with a moments notice. 

I love that I get to take care of the family God has given me.  I pray for the guidance to do so.

People always say to enjoy your children because they are only small for a short time.

LBW, reminds us with Ecclesiastes 3 that there will be a time for everything and the seasons of our life will change along with our responsibilties.

I try to remember this when I'm cleaning the toys, clothes etc up off the floor for the millionth time.  There will be a time when I no longer have that honor.  My children will grow up and move out (hopefully not too far from home). :(

So, in conclusion, make sure you take time to do the things you like to do but make sure not to neglect your family while doing so. 

I guess that means I can't forget to make supper because I'm working on a project...

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