We are already halfway through the month of December, which means...Christmas is coming---SOON!!
Are we so caught up in the hustle-bustle of the season that we're letting the JOY slip past us?
I am making an effort to spend more time now thinking--really thinking--about that most wondrous Event that happened so many years ago in Bethlehem. The birth of a precious little Baby who came to save the world, the angels singing about His birth, and the shepherds in the fields who realized something miraculous had happened.
As Christmas approaches, I want to be ready---not just with shopping, baking, and decorating. I want to be ready to celebrate the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ, with a heart filled with JOY---the true joy that only comes from knowing Him.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Saturday, November 30, 2013
A Thankful Season
Today is the last day of November, and the weekend following Thanksgiving. It seems at this time of year we hear and read a lot about people being thankful, and truly appreciating and counting our blessings. But wouldn't it be great if this emphasis on being thankful could continue ALL year? So instead of having what I think of as a "thankful season" we would have a "thankful YEAR" - - remembering to give thanks for our blessings each and every day - - in each season of the year.
I am going to strive to do this in my own life, because even though I may not be wealthy by the world's standards, I am abundantly blessed and have everything I need.
One blessing I've been especially grateful for this Fall season has been the beautiful trees in my yard. My Bradford Pear tree put on the most spectacular "show of color" this year - - absolutely gorgeous!! And even though a photo doesn't show how truly beautiful it was, I'm still posting a picture of it.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4
I am going to strive to do this in my own life, because even though I may not be wealthy by the world's standards, I am abundantly blessed and have everything I need.
One blessing I've been especially grateful for this Fall season has been the beautiful trees in my yard. My Bradford Pear tree put on the most spectacular "show of color" this year - - absolutely gorgeous!! And even though a photo doesn't show how truly beautiful it was, I'm still posting a picture of it.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Author Sandra Orchard
Author Sandra Orchard is not only a friend of mine, but she's the author of many suspense books, including Deadly Devotion, a book I didn't want to stop reading once I began!
The main characters, Kate and Tom, became real to me as I read, and even the story's fictional town of Port Aster came alive. I highly recommend Deadly Devotion if you enjoy an intriguing suspense with some romance mixed in.
Deadly Devotion is the first book in a 3-book mystery series with romance and an underlying suspense plot throughout the series.
Sandra Orchard loves to offer readers extra bonus features for each of her books, such as deleted scenes, character interviews, location pictures, and even related recipes. And...as a special Christmas gift for her newsletter subscribers, she sends them a Christmas short story that springboards from one of her novels. If you would like to receive Sandra's newsletter, please type in or click this link: http://bit.ly/OrchardNews
You'll receive a link to her 2011 Christmas story---but if you don't see it in your inbox within a couple of days, check your spam folder. Your 2013 story will arrive in your inbox in December.
In the meantime, you can check out the rest of Sandra's bonus features here: http://sandraorchard.com/extras/bonus-book-features/
Watch for the 2nd book in the series, Blind Trust.
ABOUT SANDRA: Sandra Orchard is a multi award-winning author of inspirational romantic suspense with Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense imprint, and Revell Publishing. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and The Word Guild (Canada). A mother of 3 grown children, she lives in Niagara, Canada with her real-life-hero husband and now writes full time....when not doting on her young grandchildren. You can learn more about Sandra's books and bonus features at www.SandraOrchard.com OR connect at www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard
* * * * And don't forget to sign up for Sandra's newsletter!!
The main characters, Kate and Tom, became real to me as I read, and even the story's fictional town of Port Aster came alive. I highly recommend Deadly Devotion if you enjoy an intriguing suspense with some romance mixed in.
Deadly Devotion is the first book in a 3-book mystery series with romance and an underlying suspense plot throughout the series.
Sandra Orchard loves to offer readers extra bonus features for each of her books, such as deleted scenes, character interviews, location pictures, and even related recipes. And...as a special Christmas gift for her newsletter subscribers, she sends them a Christmas short story that springboards from one of her novels. If you would like to receive Sandra's newsletter, please type in or click this link: http://bit.ly/OrchardNews
You'll receive a link to her 2011 Christmas story---but if you don't see it in your inbox within a couple of days, check your spam folder. Your 2013 story will arrive in your inbox in December.
In the meantime, you can check out the rest of Sandra's bonus features here: http://sandraorchard.com/extras/bonus-book-features/
Watch for the 2nd book in the series, Blind Trust.
ABOUT SANDRA: Sandra Orchard is a multi award-winning author of inspirational romantic suspense with Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense imprint, and Revell Publishing. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and The Word Guild (Canada). A mother of 3 grown children, she lives in Niagara, Canada with her real-life-hero husband and now writes full time....when not doting on her young grandchildren. You can learn more about Sandra's books and bonus features at www.SandraOrchard.com OR connect at www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard
* * * * And don't forget to sign up for Sandra's newsletter!!
Friday, October 25, 2013
Having Peace
I recently read a saying that I've seen before, but this time it really stuck with me. It went something like this:
If we live in the past, we feel depressed.
If we live in the future, we feel anxious.
But when we live in the present, we feel PEACE.
Such simple words, but how very true. How often do we reflect on events that have already happened, and wish we could've done things differently? Or if we're thinking of happy times, we might feel sad as we wish we could re-live those times.
Dwelling on the future can certainly cause anxiety--especially if we're worried about health concerns, finances, our country, or any number of things.
BUT....when we live in the present---living each day to the fullest and giving thanks for that day and its many blessings, we feel peace and contentment.
I will admit I've often worried and fretted over situations that are totally out of my control. And there have even been times I've worried about something that never even came to pass! (Later I'd laugh and say I had "worried over nothing").
However, I am really striving to take to heart the words of the little saying above---and live in the present. None of us knows what the future holds, but for believers, we know WHO holds our future.
And that's the best way to have
PEACE in each day!
If we live in the past, we feel depressed.
If we live in the future, we feel anxious.
But when we live in the present, we feel PEACE.
Such simple words, but how very true. How often do we reflect on events that have already happened, and wish we could've done things differently? Or if we're thinking of happy times, we might feel sad as we wish we could re-live those times.
Dwelling on the future can certainly cause anxiety--especially if we're worried about health concerns, finances, our country, or any number of things.
BUT....when we live in the present---living each day to the fullest and giving thanks for that day and its many blessings, we feel peace and contentment.
I will admit I've often worried and fretted over situations that are totally out of my control. And there have even been times I've worried about something that never even came to pass! (Later I'd laugh and say I had "worried over nothing").
However, I am really striving to take to heart the words of the little saying above---and live in the present. None of us knows what the future holds, but for believers, we know WHO holds our future.
And that's the best way to have
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Winner Announcement!
Thank you to all who commented after my interview with Author Carrie Turansky last week. I'm so excited about her newest book releasing, and am eagerly awaiting the next two books in this series.
I am thrilled to announce the book drawing winner - - and actually, we have TWO winners!! CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Wilma Metcalf and Rebecca Maney !!!
You ladies have each won a copy of The Governess of Highland Hall, and I am sure you will LOVE reading it!!
Wilma and Rebecca, if you'd please e-mail me at pattijomoore@yahoo.com and send me your snail-mail address.
Thanks again to everyone who visited, and a special THANK YOU to Carrie Turansky for the interview.
I am thrilled to announce the book drawing winner - - and actually, we have TWO winners!! CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Wilma Metcalf and Rebecca Maney !!!
You ladies have each won a copy of The Governess of Highland Hall, and I am sure you will LOVE reading it!!
Wilma and Rebecca, if you'd please e-mail me at pattijomoore@yahoo.com and send me your snail-mail address.
Thanks again to everyone who visited, and a special THANK YOU to Carrie Turansky for the interview.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Interview with Author Carrie Turansky
I am so excited to welcome talented author (and sweet friend) Carrie Turansky to CatMom's Corner today. In less than a week (October 15), Carrie's historical romance novel The Governess of Highland Hall will release! If you're a fan of the wonderful Downton Abbey series, you will love Carrie's book. I've had the pleasure of reading it, and truthfully did not want the story to end.
Welcome Carrie, and thank you for visiting my corner and answering a few questions. This is an honor and blessing for me!
1. How long have you been writing?
I've been writing fiction since 1997. Our family spent a year in Kenya before that as missionaries. After we returned to the U.S. I missed Africa so much that I decided to write a story set there as a way to relive some of our experiences. I poured out the story without knowing much about the art of writing fiction. I loved it! But when I showed it to an editor at my first writers' conference, I found out I had a lot to learn about writing novels. I almost gave up writing at that point, but the Lord used a kind neighbor to encourage me with a gift of several writing craft books. I sensed the Lord telling me to press on and learn what I needed to learn to become a skilled writer.
2. How did you get the idea/inspiration for The Governess of Highland Hall?
Early in 2012 I attended a librarian's conference in Philadelphia and had a conversation with Sue Brower, who was the Editor at Zondervan at that time. I asked her what she was looking for, and she said she'd love to find an English historical romance set in the same time period as Downton Abbey with a governess as the heroine and a brooding hero, a little like Jane Eyre, but inspirational. I loved that idea, but I wasn't confident I could do all the research necessary to write a story that rang true to the time and customs. My good friend and fellow author, Cathy Gohlke, had just published Promise Me This, which starts in England in 1912. She encouraged me and loaned me several research books. I jumped in, and found I loved that time period and the story just rose out of the research.
3. Where do you usually write?
I use a laptop, so I can write in several different places. I have a corner desk in our dining room for my office, and I write there sometimes, but I often sit in a recliner in the living room or in a comfy chair in my bedroom. When the weather is nice I like to sit out back on our patio and write there.
4. When not writing, what keeps you busy?
My husband Scott and I often travel on ministry trips and to see our kids and grandkids. We're very involved in our church and love to have people into our home for Bible Study or to share a meal. I am blessed with some great girlfriends, and I enjoy going out to lunch and shopping with them. Spending time with family is always a highlight for me.
5. Please tell us a little about your family.
Do you have any pets?
We are blessed with five children who are all grown and on their own now. The older three are married, and my oldest son and his wife have three children. Having grandkids is a great experience! We love them so much. They live in California and we live in New Jersey, so that means we don't get to see them as often as we'd like, but when we do get together, it's very special. My oldest son is a pastor, and my oldest daughter is going to grad school at NYU studying International Health and Nursing Education. My younger son is a Marine stationed in Alabama. I'll tell you more about my two youngest daughters below.
We don't have any pets at home right now, but our younger two daughters, who are twins, are professional pet groomers. They took their rabbits and birds with them when they moved into an apartment a year ago. They are the only ones who live close by. They often come over and share fun stories with us about their pets and the dogs they groom, so we are very in tune with pets and pet lovers.
6. I'm always interested in "favorites" so if you'd please tell us your FAVORITE FOOD: Homemade Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
DRINK: Earl Grey Tea
COLOR:Blue
VACATION SPOT: England
HOLIDAY: Thanksgiving
BIBLE VERSE: "Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me, let them bring me to Your holy mountain." Psalm 43:3
Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of eleven inspirational romance novels and novellas. Her latest are: The Governess of Highland Hall; Snowflake Sweethearts; A Man To Trust; and Surrendered Hearts.
Carrie lives in New Jersey with her husband Scott who is a pastor, speaker, and the author of several parenting books. Carrie loves to connect via her website: http://carrieturansky.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carrieturansky
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/carrieturansky/boards/
I'm posting a few photos today featuring Carrie, her beautiful book cover, and just for fun a photo of Carrie and me at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in September. It was "Genre Night" for writers to dress as one of their story characters. Carrie was so lovely in her long dress and beautiful hat! Since one of my characters is a teacher, I wore one of my "schoolteacher outfits" from years ago.
Any reader leaving a comment on this blog post will be entered into a drawing for a copy of Carrie's wonderful book, The Governess of Highland Hall. ~ The winner will be announced on October 16!
Welcome Carrie, and thank you for visiting my corner and answering a few questions. This is an honor and blessing for me!
1. How long have you been writing?
I've been writing fiction since 1997. Our family spent a year in Kenya before that as missionaries. After we returned to the U.S. I missed Africa so much that I decided to write a story set there as a way to relive some of our experiences. I poured out the story without knowing much about the art of writing fiction. I loved it! But when I showed it to an editor at my first writers' conference, I found out I had a lot to learn about writing novels. I almost gave up writing at that point, but the Lord used a kind neighbor to encourage me with a gift of several writing craft books. I sensed the Lord telling me to press on and learn what I needed to learn to become a skilled writer.
2. How did you get the idea/inspiration for The Governess of Highland Hall?
Early in 2012 I attended a librarian's conference in Philadelphia and had a conversation with Sue Brower, who was the Editor at Zondervan at that time. I asked her what she was looking for, and she said she'd love to find an English historical romance set in the same time period as Downton Abbey with a governess as the heroine and a brooding hero, a little like Jane Eyre, but inspirational. I loved that idea, but I wasn't confident I could do all the research necessary to write a story that rang true to the time and customs. My good friend and fellow author, Cathy Gohlke, had just published Promise Me This, which starts in England in 1912. She encouraged me and loaned me several research books. I jumped in, and found I loved that time period and the story just rose out of the research.
3. Where do you usually write?
I use a laptop, so I can write in several different places. I have a corner desk in our dining room for my office, and I write there sometimes, but I often sit in a recliner in the living room or in a comfy chair in my bedroom. When the weather is nice I like to sit out back on our patio and write there.
4. When not writing, what keeps you busy?
My husband Scott and I often travel on ministry trips and to see our kids and grandkids. We're very involved in our church and love to have people into our home for Bible Study or to share a meal. I am blessed with some great girlfriends, and I enjoy going out to lunch and shopping with them. Spending time with family is always a highlight for me.
5. Please tell us a little about your family.
Do you have any pets?
We are blessed with five children who are all grown and on their own now. The older three are married, and my oldest son and his wife have three children. Having grandkids is a great experience! We love them so much. They live in California and we live in New Jersey, so that means we don't get to see them as often as we'd like, but when we do get together, it's very special. My oldest son is a pastor, and my oldest daughter is going to grad school at NYU studying International Health and Nursing Education. My younger son is a Marine stationed in Alabama. I'll tell you more about my two youngest daughters below.
We don't have any pets at home right now, but our younger two daughters, who are twins, are professional pet groomers. They took their rabbits and birds with them when they moved into an apartment a year ago. They are the only ones who live close by. They often come over and share fun stories with us about their pets and the dogs they groom, so we are very in tune with pets and pet lovers.
6. I'm always interested in "favorites" so if you'd please tell us your FAVORITE FOOD: Homemade Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
DRINK: Earl Grey Tea
COLOR:Blue
VACATION SPOT: England
HOLIDAY: Thanksgiving
BIBLE VERSE: "Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me, let them bring me to Your holy mountain." Psalm 43:3
Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of eleven inspirational romance novels and novellas. Her latest are: The Governess of Highland Hall; Snowflake Sweethearts; A Man To Trust; and Surrendered Hearts.
Carrie lives in New Jersey with her husband Scott who is a pastor, speaker, and the author of several parenting books. Carrie loves to connect via her website: http://carrieturansky.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carrieturansky
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/carrieturansky/boards/
I'm posting a few photos today featuring Carrie, her beautiful book cover, and just for fun a photo of Carrie and me at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in September. It was "Genre Night" for writers to dress as one of their story characters. Carrie was so lovely in her long dress and beautiful hat! Since one of my characters is a teacher, I wore one of my "schoolteacher outfits" from years ago.
Any reader leaving a comment on this blog post will be entered into a drawing for a copy of Carrie's wonderful book, The Governess of Highland Hall. ~ The winner will be announced on October 16!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Trust and Obey
Today is my middle child's birthday, so I've been reminiscing all day.
It's hard to believe 26 years have flown by since I gave birth to my second precious baby girl! It's also hard to believe that so many years have passed since I went through a very traumatic pregnancy.
At that time, I was thrilled to be expecting my second child, but some routine tests indicated a problem with the baby I was carrying. More tests only confirmed that there was a problem--most likely spina bifida. The doctors even spoke with me about ending the pregnancy--which was OUT OF THE QUESTION for me. The Lord had given me this baby to carry and deliver, and I would do the very best I could.
But those months of waiting were NOT easy. Emotionally preparing myself that I'd most likely be caring for a special-needs child were scary, because I wanted to be the best mom I could be. Would I be able to do everything needed for this child--plus take care of the almost-three year-old I already had?
My tears and worrying culminated one day as I looked in the mirror and told myself that I couldn't do anything on my own---BUT with God's help I COULD accomplish whatever I needed to! It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and even my doctor's nurse later told me that she'd noticed a change (for the better) in my outlook at that particular time in my pregnancy.
I began humming and singing that old hymn, Trust and Obey, and those words took on a new, stronger meaning for me. To this day that hymn is still very dear to me, and I often play it on my piano.
Praise be to God that when I gave birth to my sweet baby girl in early October, she was PERFECT!!! NO birth defects or problems of any kind---completely normal and healthy. And beautiful, I might add. With a head full of red hair that the nurse styled with a little curl on top, she was the most precious sight as I lay in my hospital bed.
Going through that experience all those years ago has taught me that no matter what we may go through in life, we should always, always do the best we can and TRUST AND OBEY, knowing that our Lord has everything in His very capable
Hands.
Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
It's hard to believe 26 years have flown by since I gave birth to my second precious baby girl! It's also hard to believe that so many years have passed since I went through a very traumatic pregnancy.
At that time, I was thrilled to be expecting my second child, but some routine tests indicated a problem with the baby I was carrying. More tests only confirmed that there was a problem--most likely spina bifida. The doctors even spoke with me about ending the pregnancy--which was OUT OF THE QUESTION for me. The Lord had given me this baby to carry and deliver, and I would do the very best I could.
But those months of waiting were NOT easy. Emotionally preparing myself that I'd most likely be caring for a special-needs child were scary, because I wanted to be the best mom I could be. Would I be able to do everything needed for this child--plus take care of the almost-three year-old I already had?
My tears and worrying culminated one day as I looked in the mirror and told myself that I couldn't do anything on my own---BUT with God's help I COULD accomplish whatever I needed to! It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and even my doctor's nurse later told me that she'd noticed a change (for the better) in my outlook at that particular time in my pregnancy.
I began humming and singing that old hymn, Trust and Obey, and those words took on a new, stronger meaning for me. To this day that hymn is still very dear to me, and I often play it on my piano.
Praise be to God that when I gave birth to my sweet baby girl in early October, she was PERFECT!!! NO birth defects or problems of any kind---completely normal and healthy. And beautiful, I might add. With a head full of red hair that the nurse styled with a little curl on top, she was the most precious sight as I lay in my hospital bed.
Going through that experience all those years ago has taught me that no matter what we may go through in life, we should always, always do the best we can and TRUST AND OBEY, knowing that our Lord has everything in His very capable
Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
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