Always Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! Lately I've been reading blog posts and articles about being thankful, and some friends have even been writing down something they're thankful for each day of November. I think this is a wonderful idea---but it got me thinking...Wouldn't it be great if I took the time to do that each day of the year? My list of blessings is endless---the Lord has blessed me so much, and I'll be the first to admit I've done nothing to deserve these blessings. But that's how much my Lord loves me! So I could easily think of something every day to be thankful for. And even though the Thanksgiving season is a wonderful, special time of year, how nice it would be to practice being thankful ALL year, in every season. ~ May I be always thankful, no matter the time of year or how I'm feeling on a particular day. Because even if it's a day when I'm feeling lots of physical pain, then counting my blessings and having a thankful heart is bound to make me feel better! But most importantly, it would please the Lord. ~ ~ My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever.
                                                                 Psalm 145:21

To Whisper Her Name

I recently finished reading a wonderful historical romance novel by Christian Author Tamera Alexander. To Whisper Her Name is set at Nashville's Belle Meade Plantation in the 1860s, and although the main characters are fictional, the story features some actual people and history woven in.  ~ Tamera Alexander has a gift with words, and this book transported me back in time as I read. The characters "came alive" and I felt I was viewing the scenes through their eyes. Reading To Whisper Her Name was another reminder of why Tamera Alexander remains one of my "Top 2" favorite authors---her books never disappoint me! ~ If you're a fan of historical romance, be sure and read Tamera Alexander's latest wonderful book, To Whisper Her Name. I feel certain you'll enjoy it just as I did.

Amazing Autumn Views

I love the Autumn season. Even though the Lord has done a remarkable job creating all four seasons, Autumn is my very favorite. The cooler weather, the pumpkins, and especially the oh-so-beautiful leaves!  I absolutely LOVE seeing the gorgeous shades of color that so many of our trees have for a while during Autumn. Even years when I don't manage a trip to our north Georgia mountains to view the lovely leaves, I still have beauty right outside in my own backyard. As I write this post I'm glancing out and seeing some of the trees behind my house in their peak of color---breathtaking shades of gold, orange, and crimson. I always take photos of those trees each year, but the pictures don't do them justice. They're SO much prettier in person. ~ Something pretty amazing to me is how the leaves appear even more colorful today--on a rainy, "dreary" day--than they did the past few days, when the sun was shining and the weather was about perfect. I couldn't help but think this is a good comparison to how it is in my life sometimes. I might not notice beauty in a certain situation until there are some "dreary" days---and then it's as if my eyes are opened---and I see the beauty right in front of me. ~ As a Christian, I strive to see the beauty in each day and in every situation the Lord gives me--although I sometimes fall short. But today I am SO thankful He has given me these beautiful trees in my backyard, and has painted them as only He could do. ~ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  Genesis 1:1

A Merry Little Christmas

Yes, I realize it's only October, but I want to recommend a delightful book by Author Anita Higman. A Merry Little Christmas is a sweet story of love and healing set in the early 1960s. Anita does a great job with this time period, and her characters are very believeable as the story moves along. The ending was especially satisfying for me (although I'll admit I wasn't ready to say "good-bye" to these characters!). The cover is so lovely, and the inside of this book will not disappoint you. ~ Since I enjoy Christmas-related stories, I was eager to read A Merry Little Christmas, and am so glad I did. Highly recommended!

Interview with Author Sandra Orchard

I am thrilled to welcome Christian Author and dear friend, Sandra Orchard, to CatMom's Corner today. Sandra's newest release is Critical Condition from the Harlequin Love Inspired line. I cannot wait to read it! ~ Sandra graciously answered some questions for me---Thank you Sandra!
1. Do you write only suspense novels? What do you like about writing suspense?
Sandra: At this time, I write romantic suspense for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense, and I'm working on a mystery/romantic suspense series called PORT ASTER SECRETS for Revell Publishing. I love writing strong hooks at the end of chapters to keep readers turning pages, and I love to keep the reader guessing as to who the real bad guy, or girl, is.
2. What do you like most about being a published author?
Two things. Being able to sell books on spec. so I no longer have to write the whole manuscript before I find out if the publisher will want to buy it. And receiving letters from readers.
3.Have you always lived in Canada?
Born and raised.
4. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you like to visit? Why?

I'm not much of a traveller, but I'd like to visit Hawaii, because I've never been any place tropical, and it has beaches and mountains and gorgeous vistas and seems so romantic---a perfect place to set a book.
5. What is your favorite food? favorite drink? favorite color?
Pizza. I don't have a favorite drink. I usually just drink water. Boring, I know. Purple is my favorite color.
     Sandra, thank you SO much for visiting my Corner today, and I enjoyed discovering a little more about one of my fave authors!  (Although you do put me to shame with your answer about only drinking water, LOL---I NEED to drink more water, and less coffee*sigh*). ~ Readers, please feel free to leave a comment.

Exactly What I Need

We all go through times in our lives when we feel we're trudging uphill and growing tireder by the day. Not that we're feeling sorry for ourselves, but rather just growing weary. Perhaps it's illness, financial concerns, or just having days when "nothing seems to go right." Of course, we know--as the old saying goes--That's life. ~ For me personally, I've found it's so vital to read my Bible every day, because so often I'll come across the exact verse I needed at that particular time. This happened to me yesterday, as I was feeling tired and more than a little concerned about a loved one's illness. I've been praying and doing all I can to help this person, but was having a day when I felt weary and didn't know what else to do. After I read my daily Bible verses I began flipping through various books of the Bible, reading different verses I've highlighted over the years. Suddenly a verse seemed to "jump out" at me, so I read it again. It's part of a verse in 1 Samuel: ...for the battle is the Lord's... I paused, then read it again and again. A thought came to me that I had been overlooking, and the Lord used this particular verse to remind me of this all-important truth. I need to continue doing the best I can, pray, and then TURN MY CONCERNS OVER TO THE LORD. After all, it is HIS battle and HE is much better equipped to handle it than I am! I suppose that's part of our human nature---WE try to handle problems, rather than doing all we can do and giving them to our Lord. I'm thankful the Lord gently nudged me with the words that I needed at this time.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

New Friends, Old Friends

As a young child, I can remember my precious mother telling me this little rhyme that she had learned as a child: 
                                      Make new friends
                                      But keep the old.
                                      One's worth silver,
                                   And the other gold.

I'm thinking there's even a little tune that goes along with this rhyme---that would be easy for children to learn. It's a fun little rhyme, but so, so TRUE.
My friends are very important in my life, and I consider them among my greatest blessings. But as blessed as I feel with the friends I have, I still enjoy making new friends too!
That's exactly what happened this past weekend when I attended the American Christian Fiction Writers conference in Dallas, Texas. I met some precious ladies (and a few guys too) from all over the United States (and Canada)---and already have been in touch with a few of them (thanks to the wonders of modern technology and computers!).
Although I always learn so much about the craft of writing at these conferences, the friendships made are just as important to me. So I'm sharing one of my photos from this year's conference---showing myself with some of my precious Oregon friends.  These ladies are such a blessing in my life---even though we live on opposite sides of the country!

A man that hath friends must shew himself  friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.   Proverbs 18:24