Some Days There's Pie

Moving to Wordpress...

noreply@blogger.com (Leann) — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 00:30:00 +0000

I am in the process of moving all my "want to keep" stuff to the new home on Wordpress. You can see what I am doing over there at Some Days There's Pie.

Please join me there... follow, like, save the address to come back again and again. I am excited about sharing our new adventures with you.

On Love's Gentle Shore by Liz Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Thu, 27 Jul 2017 02:09:00 +0000

Book 3 in the Prince Edward Island Dream series has just been released. My girlie and I have thoroughly enjoyed this series.

I just finished reading the third book and it is just as enjoyable as the first two. Marie, Seth, Jack Aretha, Caden and Adam are all back for a new adventure along with an old friend and resident of the island named Natalie. Natalie returns home to plan her wedding but her troubled past will make the whole process harder than she could possibly imagine.

We get to enjoy Rose's Red Door Inn bed and breakfast and it's guests along with the local diner, and a local dairy farm and it's owners this time around. Caden is still cooking up the best breakfast in the area as the executive chef of the inn. She is continually delighting all of her guests on a daily basis while teaching a cooking class and working part time with a cooking school for teens. There is lots of local color on the shores of Prince Edward Island including an old lighthouse.

It is a sweet but twisty story that keeps you guessing right up to the very last chapter. There are beautiful pictures of love and forgiveness that permeate the stories of the people of the island. I would give this one a 4 out of 5 as well. It is a delightful series.

This book was sent to me free of charge by the Revell Publishing branch of Baker Publishing. The only thing they ask in return is that I read the book and give an honest review. I gladly recommend this Christian fiction series to you!

Other books in the series...

My review for this one

My review for this one.

Check out Liz Johnson's Author Site.

You Have Just Entered the READING Zone...

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 02:05:00 +0000

Vacation, for us, is almost over. I think we have about a week and a half before the routine starts back up with band rehearsal and getting a girl ready to go back to college. We are headed into back to school mode very quickly. I am trying to squeeze the last bit of luxurious laziness out of what is left of our days.

This particular weekend there happens to be a 24 in 48 hour readathon. I have signed up and have two books that I need to work through before I make the August TBR. Check out the website link above for more details. I will try to post my plan tomorrow here. I hope you can join us!

The photo above is from the 24in48 website and organizers.

There is also a week long BookTubeathon starting Monday the 24th. Check out the following for all the fun things they have planned.

Here is a link to the video challenges for 2017

A Fun Food Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Leann) — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 11:00:00 +0000

I mentioned over the weekend that it is the halfway mark for 2017 so here is a little fun for you.

It was published on New Year's as a food challenge for 2017 from PopSugar but it is not too late.

I just found it myself! Here ya go.... have fun!!!

I Got Published as a Guest Blogger!

noreply@blogger.com (Leann) — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 13:21:00 +0000

I submitted a review for a cookbook to the Clandestine Cake Club about a month ago and they accepted it and PAID ME! My first paid article... how exciting!

I cannot post it here but you can head over to their blog and have a read... leave comments... enjoy their website and the many other lovely posts they share.

It is such a great blog! I am thrilled and honored to be a very tiny part of what they share with the public. They also have two cookbooks and you can find more from them on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.

Cookbooks Lynn Hill has published...

on Amazon... not an affiliate link

also on Amazon... not an affiliate link

Some July Reading...

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 11:00:00 +0000

I am always ambitious with my stack but rarely read more than three books a month. Here is the stack I have in the TBR for the month of July. I have four in progress already...

Pursue the Intentional Life by Jean Fleming (my devotional read for the month with 31 chapters)

Basic Christianity by John Stott (our Saturday night study group read which won't be finished in July)

On Love's Gentle Shore by Liz Johnson (a review book but I have read the other two in the series so it is also for fun)

The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies (been in progress for quite some time and is also a review read)

The other books on the list are new reads for me except Write His Answer by Marlene Bagnull... this one is a reread for me.

A few of these are for research purposes for me... the Faulkner and the Sjogren's Syndome book serve that purpose this month. The Jacobs and the Scott books are just for fun... You guys might like Jennifer Scott's YouTube Channel, too.

I mentioned above that Pursue the Intentional Life is my "devotional" reading for the month. It just happens to have 31 short chapters and it is the second book I have read by Fleming. She is charming! I am so in love with her books and plan to buy all of them at some point. Her spirit is so humble and lovely. She truly loves the Lord! Her books are the kind of reading that makes one feel like they are having coffee with a beautiful friend and mentor. It is truly a gift she has for sharing her walk with those of us coming up behind her. I wish I had a best friend like her in real life that I could spend time with. She is precious! (and she has a blog post archive!)

Feeding Your Soul is a must read, too... I read it a few years ago and it is in the Autumn reading plan again this year.

I was also excited to find out that they did a video series with her on this particular book through the In-courage YouTube channel. I plan to use it as I read this month. You can find the first three chapters here and that will link you to more if you are interested.

Let me finish by saying this.... God's word is what we use as our guide in this life. It is first and foremost the only book we truly must read daily. I also feel, however, that finding like minded writers and their testimonies and words are a great place to be, too. If you are reading God's word daily you will know the authors that are speaking truth. If, at any point, you find that the lines are blurred then you must put other books down and go back to His word only to ground you. I am a firm believer in reading God's word... knowing what He says... and testing all things based on HIS instruction. If it does not line up with God's word then we don't need to read it. Be careful... be diligent... be a Berean as you read! (I linked Acts 17 for the story of the Bereans but it is Acts 17:11 to be specific)

What is on your reading list right now?

Is there a devotional or spiritual book that has blessed you?

Feel free to share a favorite scripture with us that God is using to teach/comfort/encourage you right now!

Year of Jubilee

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 17:12:00 +0000

July brings us to the halfway mark of our year. It feels like a good time for a "do over" doesn't it? Maybe you started the year with certain goals and ideas and they took a turn along the way or fell by the wayside.

I started the year a bit unsure of where I was going in 2017. I turned 50 in December and just had so many things rolling around in my head about that. I became a grandmother and the school year quickly ended last month and I am looking at another senior year with our third child and our youngest is in 8th grade. I need for this year to slow down!

First I started 2017 without a theme. That was quickly remedied as I started reading books for the year. God has repeatedly thrown the themes of Sabbath, slowing down, clearing out, empty nesting, marriage focus... in my path with all I have been reading and with sermons at church.

About six weeks ago I was reminded that there are three kinds of Sabbath in the Bible... a weekly Sabbath, a seven year Sabbath and a Year of Jubilee every fifty years. I am fifty.... THIS IS MY YEAR OF JUBILEE!!! Realizing that has clarified what God is showing me through all of this.

In a Year of Jubilee it seems everything STOPS! There is a rest for the land and the people. It is a year of freedom... slaves were set free to go back to their families and their homes. It is a year of celebration. There were no days of planting or harvesting so the land had an opportunity to rest. Property was returned to it's original owner. Money issues were settled with the cancellation of debt. It is a year of truly trusting God and recognizing that He is the creator of all things. His command is to rest and when Israel did not heed that command they were taken into captivity. It is to be sacred... and holy!

If you want to know more about this you can head over to Leviticus 25.

Now, I know this was in regard to the commands given to Israel but let's play WHAT IF....

What if we did this when we turned 50?

What if we took a year off from the crazy and the busy and we just focused on God and our family?

What if we focused on paying off our debt.

What if we spent more time taking long walks and listening to beautiful music.

What if we spent time celebrating with our family.

What if we loved our lives and growing older instead of dreading it?

What if we focused on the Holy things of God and the sacredness of all that He has done for us?

What if we said no to the things that crowd out that still small voice?

What would happen?

I wish that I had thought about these things before I hit 50. I wish I had planned for a Year of Jubilee in my own life. I am grateful to Barbara Rainey and Susan Yates for addressing this in their book on Empty Nesting that I just finished. I wish I had read it sooner... BUT....

Guess what... it is not too late! I am going to start right where I am. If I am truly honest I have to say God has already been pushing me in this direction since around November of last year anyway. I was just not listening closely enough. Sometimes He has to hit me over the head to get my attention! LOL

There have been a lot of things I have let go over the past year and I have planned days to stay home and days of recovery much more with the autoimmune issues. I have listened to more music and read more books. I have eaten more with my family and focused on so many blessings. It has not been perfect but I can see God's hand in slowing me down. I can see that He has been speaking and showing me what He wants. I need to hear better!

The rest of 2017 will look a lot more like a Year of Jubilee for me... intentionally. I am in the process of changing my focus for the fall and building a Sabbath time for each week. I am saying no to everything that takes my time away from family with the exception of my little part time job. We are paying down debt as quickly as we can and cooking more together, eating together, playing together. I plan to continue to read the Bible daily (50% of the way through already), read more books (my goal is 40), sit outside, take walks, take a tea time again, enjoy my meals more, go to bed earlier and sometimes sleep a little later and certainly relax more. I will take more pictures and play more music. I will journal, write, blog, vlog, be grateful... much more often than I do now! I will not let my Year of Jubilee go by unnoticed. I plan to celebrate and live it well.

So, what is God showing you this year?

Are you planning any special goals and such for the second half of 2017?

Do you have a theme you have been living this year?

Leave a comment below and share with us!

Bullet Journal Photos...

noreply@blogger.com (Leann) — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 19:04:00 +0000

I have had a request for some bullet journal pages I use. I thought I would just share a few pictures and comment on each one just a bit for you guys. Above are some basic supplies I use every month. I usually choose two colors to use consistently for the month. June was pink and green. July will be red and blue. If I have fun sticker or washi tape on hand I will definitely utilize it to cover up mistakes or just to spice up a page. Washi tape is also good for making a page easy to find. I washi tape the top corners of all the main calendar pages so I can find them quickly.

This is the July spread I just did... this was before I put any dates on it so it is nice and clean. It won't stay that way long.

I read the Bible through every year. This is the place I cross out the books as I finish them and can get a quick overview of what I have left.

This is called a future log. I finally got on board with doing one with my new journal I just started. As I migrated over from the old one this went in first so I can put in dates that I don't have a calendar page ready for yet. This is a lifesaver! Now, when I do a new month I just head here and put in the set dates for appointments and school schedules first.

This is the June spread... see... messy and full of stuff from our life for the past month. This one was certainly not as messy as some months. Note that I don't have a key... a key does not really help me much... at least not at this point. I might eventually add it but it is time consuming right now for me.

I take notes in my BuJo... I write daily to do lists and plans and I keep track of stuff I am doing. This particular spread has notes and a tracker for what books I am reading right now. I read more books when I do this. Funny how that works. LOL

This is what a week looks like.... on the left is my schedule and next to that is my to do list. On the righthand side is my menu plan for the week and my grocery list. This works brilliantly for me. It does not need to be fancier than this for me. I don't need to know moon cycles or weather patterns. It is hot... no rain... and then the same again tomorrow here. We live in the desert!

These are notes I took from a youtube speaker I watch regularly on vlogging... I am learning... it will happen!

This is a list of some items my college girl is learning to cook this summer. I need to mark off what we have covered but I am a list maker and this is just one example of that.

I am also attempting to do a photo challenge again for July. This may or may not be complete but the reminder will help.

I do habit trackers...

Here is the July book tracker and a fun quote I randomly throw in from time to time to fill a page or just to remember. I also do this with scripture for memory work.

Just some simple photos of what my bullet journal looks like a little bit. Hope this is helpful to those interested in the process.

Do you use one?

Do you have any pages in yours that you do not see here that you want to tell us about?

Leave a comment below and share your BuJo journey with us!

Solveig Leithaug and her new album Time

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 10:00:00 +0000

Have you met Solveig Leithaug before?

She is a charming musician with sweet thoughtful music. She has been around the music industry for many years. She has worshiped with some of the most amazing singers/songwriters of our time in Christian music. I love that she has some familiar names collaborating with her on this album with Reba Rambo-McGuire, Cindy Morgan, Sarah Hart, Anthony Skinner, and Kelly Willard. It is a lovely album to encourage our souls.

Get to know her a little here in an interview done through the youtube channel of Karen Power.

Solveig's music has a laid back country feel. It is thoughtful and personal. She writes from her experiences and deep love of Jesus. I know many of you will love her sound. One of her songs from her recent album is called Simple Things. I encourage you to slow down and take a few minutes to enjoy it here. When you are done scroll down to the end of this post for a little giveaway magic!

You can find out more about her or connect with her at the following links...

Facebook - SolveigMusic
Instagram - Sophie Lighthouse
Twitter - @SolveigMusic
Her Website - Solveig Music

Her music can be purchased at the following links...

Spotify: http://spoti.fi/2psW00l
Tidal: http://bit.ly/2pYg3QO
iTunes http://apple.co/2qwwoih
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2qwAHKq

Like what you hear? Want the CD for yourself? I have ONE to give away!

HOW TO ENTER: Just leave me a comment below... just one will do it... and tell me what your VERY FAVORITE Christian song is... it can be a praise song, hymn, something from a favorite artists album... whatever brings you to the throne. Then, I will take the entries in order, give them a number and draw from a hat.... or a jar... or whatever I can put little pieces of paper in and then I will let you know who wins. You must be over 18 to enter, living in the United States or have an APO address if you live overseas, and you must be willing to give me your address when I contact you so I can mail it to you.

The giveaway is over by Saturday July 1, 2017 at noon central time!!!

Work for you guys?

Great!!!

CONTEST IS OVER!!!

WINNER IS ELIZABETH PRUETT!!! (sent you a message below)

CONGRATULATIONS AND ENJOY THE CD!

Guide to the Empty Nest by Barbara Rainey and Susan Yates

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 20:07:00 +0000

Barbara and Susan actually wrote the first edition of this book several years ago. This is a previously released book for them. This edition contains the original book plus new information. It is one of those books that got better with the new version because they are able to share more about their time as empty nesters now. They have learned and grown and I love that they stepped out to bring us a new version. I had not heard of the book before this one was released. The timing for me is perfect as we are quickly moving toward this phase of our lives in the next 6-8 years.

The premise behind this book is to show us that we are not alone. Every mother, for the most part, will go through this at some point. I do realize that some will have a child at home for the duration of their lives due to extenuating circumstances but the majority will be releasing children into the world and facing an empty quiet home again with their husbands or possibly alone. Another reason for this book is to equip us with tools to learn how to live in the empty nest phase of our lives. It is a resource you will go back to again and again I think.

This book is so encouraging! Rainey and Yates share ways of coping with children leaving the home permanently. They have gathered personal stories from dozens of women who have gone before us and share how they are surviving and thriving in this new reality. There are a ton of resources, links, book recommendations and such to guide us through this time.

Barbara and Susan share their own personal stories, too. They share how they have grown since the last writing of this text. It is all written from a Christian perspective on developing our mission and obeying God in our new walk without children. The key is to keep going. We must realize as much as our lives revolved around being a wife and mother that is not all we were created to be. There is a grand life after the children have gone on to have their own families. It is exciting for me, as we now have our first grandson, to see what a great phase of life being a grandmother will be. It is still more than that, though. I can have a whole ministry and mission that is all my own and Dan and I can have a new life together in a changed marriage and ministry. This is a brilliant book. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough!

This book was the perfect read at the perfect time for me and I am so glad to be able to review and recommend this book to you. It was sent to me free of charge from Bethany House Publishing (a division of Baker Publishing). All they asked in return is that I read and give my honest opinion in a review for you. If you are anywhere near the empty nest phase of your life this is a MUST READ for you!

I definitely give this one a 5 out of 5 and would recommend it to every single woman I know over a "certain" age.

Find out more about the authors...

Barbara Rainey

Susan Yates

Baker Publishing Page

Sacred Privilege by Kay Warren

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 22:07:00 +0000

I have been a ministry wife for the past 28 years. There have been some very hard days in that time. As I began reading this book I knew, immediately, that Kay Warren understood my life, joys, frustrations, struggles and all. She is open and honest about her life and ministry with her husband throughout this book. She shares her ups and downs and, with great wisdom, she gives us great advice straight from God's word and from the depths of all He has taught her over the last 40+ years.

This book is about seeking God above all else. She encourages us to keep our focus on the Savior who died for us and not on the world and it's hardness at times. She assures us there will be struggles but God's plan is the greatest thing we can follow. We have an enemy that does not want us to succeed in reaching a lost world. Kay is so encouraging to ministry wives both young and old and shares truths from God's word to build up our faith to keep going.

If someone has compiled a list of books all young pastors wives should read this should certainly be at the top of the list. I believe that Kay's shared ministry experiences have great value for those who are coming behind her in this world of ministry. It is not an easy life and she does not give us any fairy tale illusion that it is.

We have an important call, ladies. We are to bring glory to God in all we do. Everything about this book points straight to that message and I believe this book brings glory to Him, too.

Thank you Kay for this beautiful book of hope in a very difficult call!

This book was sent to me free of charge by Baker Publishing Group - Revell Division. All they have asked in exchange is that I would read it and give an honest review. I am thrilled to recommend this to ministry wives everywhere! I give it a 5 out of 5 rating.

Kay Warren's Website

Remembering and Honoring...

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Sat, 27 May 2017 18:52:00 +0000

Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in It's Proper Place

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Sat, 13 May 2017 22:53:00 +0000

This is one of those books that I wish I had read 15 years ago. It did not exist when my children started using social media and technology. As a middle aged parent of adult and teen children we spent a big chunk of our time navigating blindly for the start of this social media age. Looking back I realize that I was making decisions about things as they came up rather than making a plan to avoid the pitfalls of this world we are living in now. Andy Crouch's book will change all of that for parents and families today.

This book gives 10 excellent strategies for, as the title says, putting technology in it's proper place. Crouch even goes so far as to encourage us to turn it off completely for part of each day. Sound hard? With Andy's 10 strategies you might find it easier than you think.

This book is not about trashing our technology and moving out into an isolate cabin somewhere. Crouch fully believes there is a place for technology in our world today. He just feels, as do I, that we should step away sometimes and be a family. We should have meals together with real conversations and game nights indoors and out, and spend time reading stories or listen to music together. He boldly says that maybe we should even PLAY music together. I love that suggestion, by the way.

The book is loaded with results from the latest Barna Research Group study on how technology is impacting our lives and families. Crouch takes that data and provides some very practical ways to change the trends we see toward isolation and addiction caused by our overuse of such devices.

By paying just a little more attention to our habits we can make changes to have more meaningful family and friend time. All it takes is realizing we need to set these devices aside for part of our day, week and even for up to a week or two a year.

Crouch is very candid at the end of each chapter with a personal evaluation on how his own family is doing in each realm. He is very honest in saying that sometimes they are still struggling to make some changes but that it is a work in progress. His family is certainly better for these 10 strategies, though.

He addresses something that I have continually seen in my reading this year.... Sabbath. It is not only important for us to take time to rest but to let our devices rest, too. We don't let them rest for their sake. We set them aside for our sake.

This book is not a giant thick read. It is divided into very practical chapters that are quick to read and will have you thinking about how you can be more present in your own life. I hope you will take the time to read a copy of this book and focus more on what is really important in this world. Let us all put technology in it's proper place and live our lives with more focus on the most important things in this lifetime while we can.

You can read more about Andy Crouch and this and other books he has written on his website

This book was sent to me by Baker Books for free. All they ask in return is that I read and review it with my own personal unbiased opinion. I absolutely loved this book and will be recommending it to every family I can.

I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars!

My first Adobe Spark video.... so easy to use!

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Thu, 11 May 2017 16:22:00 +0000

May Photo Challenge... in progress

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Mon, 08 May 2017 16:21:00 +0000

I started the month with this challenge... it is a two year old challenge that was for competition purposes but I just liked it so I decided to do it for myself. I am one day behind because I was in travel mode. I am hoping to work through the list at my leisure instead of being strict with days at this point. Want to see days 1-7? Head over to my Instagram and friend me, if you have not already, to see all my photography endeavors. I think Instagram might be my favorite Social Media outlet because I love all of the creative photos without all the chatter of Facebook. It is truly a happy place online for me these days.

Are you an amateur photographer, take photos of your sewing, crochet, artwork etc... too?

Do you share your creative work online?

Leave a link in the comments so we can all have a gander

(keep it clean, though... no inappropriate photo linking please...

you will be deleted and blocked from this blog)

You can see more photo and other crafting classes and mini challenges from Craftsy at their site.

Halfway There....

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 23:15:00 +0000

Mid-Event Survey!

1. What are you reading right now?

Still working on Tech-Wise Family and The Tea Planter's Wife but have not gotten far in either.... too much noise in the house today.

2. How many books have you read so far?

None

3. What book are you most looking forward to for the second half of the Read-a-thon?

Just going to keep plugging away at the two in progress...

4. Have you had many interruptions? How did you deal with those?

All dang day but I figure I will read more once the weekend is over and the boys are all back to school and the house is quiet.... not so much today. LOL

5. What surprises you most about the Read-a-thon, so far?

I have done a lot of instagram pics.... that has been fun.

Couple of links for fun...

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 14:40:00 +0000

All the Read-a-thon happenings can be found on the blog... Check out the Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-thon link for more information and an hourly update.

Also check out the challenge going on over at Instagram from Amanda at Fig and Thistle Books Blog

There is also a Facebook page, a Twitter page and a GoodReads Group.

Hope you choose to join us somewhere along the way!

You can find me on mostly the blog and Instagram today.

It is that time of year again.... Welcome to the 24 Hour Read-a-thon!

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 13:44:00 +0000

The Introductory Survey...

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today?

El Paso, Texas... the desert southwest.

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to?

Working on some unfinished books but I must start the Tea Planter's Wife... I need to get a good amount of progress on it today. Here is the stack, though...

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to?

Definitely this...

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!

I am a new grandmother!

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to?

I have been a long time participant and I always want to read more than I get to... it is the life of being the mom. I am delighted that today turned off rainy and cold, though.... that is a big chunk of motivation for me to read since we rarely get this kind of day around here. LOL

A Joyful Update...

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 00:52:00 +0000

There has been a lot of life happening around here lately.

I have a ton of things to share but let's start with the fact that...

I am a new Grandmother!

The new grandson was born April 1st... no, I am not kidding! LOL He was 8 pounds 5 ounces and has been growing steadily for the last 3 weeks. Mom and Dad are doing great, outside of a lack of sleep that is. I made the trip out to meet him and got a week with my kids and that precious boy. I am over the moon! I think I am going to love being a grandmother most of all my roles.

Just thought I would log on and share that with you guys. I cannot wait to hold him again soon!

Murder is No Accident by A. H. Gabhart

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 21:23:00 +0000

Michael Keane, the deputy sheriff, is on the case again for this third mystery in Hidden Springs. He is a young single man who helps out in his local church with the youth group as well as looking out for his older aunt who raised him after the loss of his parents and other folks in town. He has an ongoing complicated relationship with a woman he has known from his childhood who is a lawyer in Washington, D.C.

I have all three books in the series... I wrote a review for the second one and loved it so much I bought the first one to go with it. The third one is hitting shelves now. They can definitely be read as stand-alone books but I have enjoyed getting to know the people of Hidden Springs very much through the series.

Gabhart jumps right to the murder in this one from the opening. It pulled me in right away and I have a hard time putting these books down because they are paced well and are written well. These books are kind of "Mitford" meets "Jesse Stone and Paradise" for me... I love both!

Fifteen year old Maggie Greene assists her mother in cleaning the old Chandler place in Hidden Springs. The home belongs to a woman with dementia named Miss Fonda who currently resides in the local retirement care facility. On occasion Maggie sneaks in to spend time in the tower room to get away from the world and write, read or just gaze out the window. On this particular day she realizes that she is not alone in the house. She quietly waits and listens as she hears footsteps and voices. She did not want to be caught and be accused of breaking in and trespassing.

In a matter of minutes she hears angry voices and then a commotion on the stairs. A woman shrieks and then there is a thump that shakes the upstairs. Maggie hears a door opening and closing. Once she emerged from hiding she saw the body of a local realtor Mrs. Geraldine Harper lying lifeless at the bottom of the top staircase. She knew she needed to get help but she could not let anyone know she was there. She looked around and took Mrs. Harper's phone and dialed 911.... the operator on the other end prompted Maggie to "respond if you can" and all Maggie could say was.... "She can't. She's dead." She hangs up the phone and then puts the phone down by Mrs. Harper's purse. Maggie makes her escape unseen... so she thinks.

The body is discovered and the conclusion is made that it was an accident but Maggie knows better... will she come forward to tell Michael Keane or anyone else what she knows?

Join this cast of charming small town characters as they uncover surprises along the way to discovering if this really was an accidental death or if this is something more sinister.

This book was provided to me free of charge from Revell (a division of Baker Publishing Group) in exchange for an honest read and review.

Giving this one a 5 out of 5!

Check out A. H. Gabhart's website for deals, freebies and upcoming book news.

Preparing for the church season of Lent

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 22:32:00 +0000

To begin with I am not Catholic.... There is a large Catholic community here that observe this season. I have been asked the question for many years about what I would be giving up for the season so that started my journey to know more about Lent.

I am a protestant pastor's wife in the Southern Baptist tradition.

We don't do Lent in the traditional manner with Ash Wednesday and fish on Fridays and such. Lent is something I came to terms with as an adult so I don't tend to be traditional in my approach. I don't celebrate or observe it out of any obligation but more out of a respect for how it can focus our thoughts on the coming Resurrection Sunday observance. It is the biggest day in the Christian list of observed holidays.

Some years I give something up and some years I add a new habit or goal to work through. I am currently reading the Bible through again this year in the NASB translation. I have completed Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and will complete Deuteronomy by the second week of March. I decided on a list of three things this year that I will focus on.

Over the forty days of Lent I will...

1. Give up clutter

I am taking the challenge of 40 Bags in 40 Days and will be cleaning and clearing my home of one bag of trash, giveaway or donate items, or boxes of books per day.

2. Read a book per week

chosen from this stack of books.... I am starting with the Prayer 101 by Warren Weirsbe.

3. Focus on healthier eating

trying some new recipes each week and working through some new menu planning to get back on track with my eating. I am moving back toward a more paleo way of eating... with the exception of potatoes and rice and maybe the odd bowl of granola from time to time.

I have added a daily green smoothie to the morning routine.

I have reestablished my nutritional supplement routine, too.

Alive in the Spirit by A. W. Tozer

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 17:56:00 +0000

This book is a compilation of writings on the Holy Spirit by A. W. Tozer. I have to be honest in saying it is not the kind of book I expected but it was still beneficial. Most of the book is devotional with short chapters that can be read daily in just a few minutes. Each chapter ends with a few key questions to help you focus thinking on the Holy Spirit in your own life.

I tend to be one who likes a more substantial read when it comes to theological things. That being said this is still full even though it is lighter reading than most of the theology books by Tozer I have read in the past. It is very personal... filled with personal testimony and experiences from Tozer's life. It is not packed full of scripture but it does have some that help make some of his points. I like the use of testimony. It can build up the body, too, and his stories are full of the hand of God in his life.

Since it is a compilation the writing does not flow well in some places so it is a bit disjointed but the topic is valid and the information is truth so I would give this one a 3.5 out of 5 and tell you that if you enjoy devotional reading this is a good fit for you.

This book was provided by Bethany House free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

What is Reformed Theology? by R. C. Sproul

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 20:34:00 +0000

I have been a Christian for over 40 years. I grew up in a church that taught certain ideas based on a widely popular theology of the day and I never questioned that until I left for college and started studying on my own. In college I began to hear more and more about God's grace and mercy. Those two things drew me in... I had to know more about these ideas. I joined a local church there in Abilene and attended like I had growing up but I began opening my own Bible more and tuning into some teaching on a local Christian radio station. I started having spiritual conversations with other students. I began to pick up books on these ideas by theologians and comparing what they taught to what my Bible actually said. The more I studied the more important I realized the study of God was. Theology is just that... the study of God.

As Christians we are commanded to study and know God over and over again through the Bible. It breaks my heart to hear Christians say things like, "I don't like theology because it just causes arguments." or "Theology is really not important as long as we just love God and love people we will be ok." The study of God is how we get to know who He is and His nature and will for us. The world is full of misinformation and misconceptions on the study of God and His word. It is so important for us to know the truth... know what the Bible teaches us regarding Him and His Son Jesus. The world does not hold those answers for us. My mission to know Him truly started when I sat in that first Old Testament Bible Class at Hardin Simmons University and it continues still. It is a lifelong journey that every believer should take.

This book is a great start. It is chock full of scripture and church history! R. C. Sproul does such a beautiful job using scripture to show us what reformed theology is all about and why, based on that scripture, it is where he falls on the theological spectrum. I have come to so many of the same conclusions as I have grown as a Christian over the years. This is what I believe!

Sproul's writing is so thoughtful and logical. He spends the first five chapters showing us where the idea of reformed theology started and how it developed over time through men like Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Calvin. He shares how Luther came out of the Catholic tradition and the conclusions he came to based on his study of scripture.

The second half of the book is spent addressing the five basic tenets of Reformed Theology using the TULIP acronym (check out the link for a series on this) to open up the dialog. I won't go into detail here on each one because the book is so beautifully thorough on each point. I encourage you to read the book for yourself to learn more about why churches teach certain ideas. It might just answer some questions or clarify some ideas you have wondered about yourself.

Sproul has a real gift for bringing this history and explanation into layman's terms so that everyone can read and understand these ideas. Martin Luther was doing the same thing when he tacked his 95 Theses on the church door. These men felt that the masses should be able to know and understand the things of God 500 years ago, today and all the years in between.

As we are coming upon the 500th year since Luther's stand for reformation took place this book and the ideas contained in it are as relevant today as they were then.

I give this book a solid 5 out of 5.

This book was sent to me free of charge from Baker Books and all they ask in return is an honest review.

Learn more about R. C. Sproul and his Ligonier ministry. He has written many great books over the years and as we come into this 500th year celebration of Reformed Theology he has some great resources to check out. He also has a daily podcast/radio broadcast that you might be interested in checking out.

Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson - Ukulele Tutorial - How To Play Begginer...

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 12:00:00 +0000

I so totally want to learn this one!

I am "borrowing" Emily's uke while she is away at college. I have started learning some chords this week. I found this video (among many) while wandering around looking for ukulele tutorials today. Here is my mini axe...

If I get brave there might be a video by the end of the month.... maybe. I think the video idea scares me more than actually learning a new instrument! LOL

InCoWriMo... February 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Leann Richardson) — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 12:00:00 +0000

Why have I never heard of this before now? I am coming late to the party but I love this challenge!

For the month of February people all over the world are mailing letters, cards, care packages to people for no apparent reason. It is called the International Correspondence Writing Month.

This challenge is of the vintage kind. It is the original social media. There is even a website! You can find out more here.

I am taking the challenge but I am not sending something every day.... I am shooting for one or two per week for this year and then I will up my game next year.

Here is what others are sharing on the challenge...

BoHo Berry

Little Coffee Fox

Instagram page (#InCoWriMo)

Are you joining in?