No news is good news???

OK Daddy, I am all packed and ready to go with you!
Get dirty? Me? No thanks! I think I'll just stay here with Mommy.

What's happening - Not much! Pretty boring week. Everyone pretty healthy now. A few sniffles and coughs here and there but for the most part - back to normal.

My hubby might be home tonight, but after that he will be gone for quite a while, maybe through the weekend. When they are going to be gone that long they sometimes let them come home for a day in the middle. So they can get clean clothes, stock up on food, kiss the wife, etc.

It has been COLD, cold, cold! Single digits and teens here in upstate NY. Saturday it didn't get above 10 and Sunday it was 0 when I got up, it did get in the low 20's later in the day! The weather forcast says it is suppose to be in the 20's all week, so - not bad. Hahahaha - you know you live in upstate NY when you think 20's is not bad! T-shirt weather! Heehee.

Our church does a "Contemporary Worship" service a couple times a month, mainly Saturday evenings. This past Sat. Ashley and her Boyfriend went with me. I like it a lot. It is only - prayer, sermon, and lots of music. But not hymns , contemporary Christian music and even some Christian rock. There are not too many people who go (only 21 this Sat.) I keep trying to get more people to go! I won't give up. I think people who think they are "not into the whole church thing" would like this a lot better.

My daughter is looking for a part time gig, to supplement her income. She has put in a few applications at the local diners and such. So if you know of anybody hiring.... Maybe put in a few prayers for her.

Knitting - Almost done with my "Birds Nest Smoke Ring" I think it will be really pretty!
I just have a few more rows to do then the edging on both ends.

Notice how "Hello Kitty" likes to sneak into the pictures. She just loves knitting (and getting her picture taken).


Books I have read - I will be posting another review later this week (Thurs. or Fri.).
I have also been reading Sarah Palin's new book - "Going Rogue" I am reading other books at the same so it will take me a while to finish, but I am liking it so far!

Contests - Scroll down to my last post for my book giveaway!

Top 5 - Things you can't do when its too cold
1. Drink coffee on the front porch (unless its iced coffee and you are wearing mukluks and heavy coat)
2. Gardening (can't dig in the ground when its frozen solid).
3. Go swimming (unless you have an indoor pool, you could always use your pool as an ice skating rink)
4. Wash your car in the driveway (it would be totally covered with a sheet of ice, then you will spend an hour chipping off the ice so you can get into your clean car)
5. Go barefoot (unless you like the color blue! and you want to me minus a few toes)

The Choice, by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book review and giveaway!

Title: The Choice

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: January 1, 2010
Paperback: 308 pages
ISBN: 978-0800733858
Genre: Fiction/Romance/Christian

About the book: Lancaster County has always been her home--but where does her heart belong?

One moment Carrie Weaver was looking forward to running away with Lancaster Barnstormers pitcher Solomon Riehl--plans that included leaving the Amish community where they grew up. The next moment she was staring into a future as broken as her heart. Now, Carrie is faced with a choice. But will this opportunity be all she hoped? Or will this decision, this moment in time, change her life forever?

A tender story of love, forgiveness, and looking below the surface, The Choice uncovers the sweet simplicity of the Amish world--and shows that it's never too late to find your way back to God.

About the Author: Suzanne is a wife and mom, raiser of puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and an author of Christian books, both non-fiction and fiction.
Her relatives on my mother's side are Old Order German Baptist Brethren, also known as Dunkards. That's where her interest in Anabaptist traditions began. Suzanne's grandfather was born into a family of 13 children, started his career as a teacher in a one-room school house in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and ended it as one of the very first publishers of Christianity Today. "We called him "Deardad" even though he was a very stern fellow. Still, Deardad's life inspired me to write."
After college, Suzanne was a freelance writer for magazines and became a contributing editor to Christian Parenting Today. Her work has been featured in Today's Christian Woman, Marriage Partnership, Worldwide Challenge, among others. She took the plunge into books a few years ago and now she's hooked. To learn more about Suzanne, visit her website at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com

LitFuse is having a Book Bomb and Author's Talk - you can find all the details by clicking the button below-

Grab this button

My Review: First I would like to thank The Litfuse Group for giving me this book to review!

Wow! What an absolutely exceptional book! I loved it. I gave this book 5 stars. I put Suzanne Woods Fisher right up there with(and maybe even surpassing) other Amish book writers.
I found the story line very easy to follow and very enjoyable. I was truly caught up in the sorrow and heartache that "Carrie" was feeling. I cried for her losses and then cried tears of joy when she finally found happiness and her place in life. This book was very appropriately titled The Choice. It was full of choices as is everyone's life. We all have choices to make in our everyday lives and very often they affect those around us. I think every person who reads this could possibly see some of themselves in at least one person in the cast of characters. This book also had a very strong Christian message without being too "preachy" in my opinion.
The Character development was excellent. Each Character was very easy to get to know. I absolutely fell in love with Carrie, as well as Daniel and Able! I felt very much apart of this Amish family.
I have to say that I am truly now a fan of Suzanne Woods Fisher. This is the first book in a series "Lancaster County Secrets". I can not wait for the next one to come out. "The Waiting" will be released in Oct. 2010!

Giveaway: I have decided to give away my copy of "The Choice". I have been gentle and kept it in new condition. For a chance to win please leave a comment that you would like to win or email me at forevereading at gmail dot com (please remember to add your email to your comment)
I will be using "random.org" to choose a winner. That way everyone (even my family and friends) can have a chance at winning since I won't be choosing the winner myself. This giveaway will end Feb 8th. I will email and post the winner on my usual Monday posting. Good luck everyone!
(Only US & Canada please)

Erich Segal dies at age 72

What's happening -Oh no! I just found out that Author Erich Segal died! He died Jan 17 of a heartattack. He had been struggling with Parkinson's for 25 years. I really liked him. I have read - Love Story, Oliver's Story, Man Woman and Child, The Class, Doctors, Acts of Faith, and Prizes. Wow after writing that, I just realized there only 2 books of his I hadn't read! If you were a fan of his or only enjoyed one of his books - Please let me know in the comments.
I think now I will try to find the two books I have not read and read them. They are - Fairy Tale and Only Love. I personally challenge others out there to read books of his that you have not read! He was a wonderful writer. Someone else compared Nicholas Sparks to him. He was a great Love Story writer (pun intended!). If you have not read Love Story, it is one of the saddest book I have ever read! I own it, let me know if you want to borrow it (I own lots of others as well).

Well illness has been dropping my kids like flies! Two are out due to bronchitis, a couple more due to a stomach bug that is going around. The only two not affected are my two youngest girls! Go girls! Girls Rule! Even my daughter seemed to be affected this past weekend.
I have not been sick a day yet, praise the Lord! I tell people outright that it is due to much praying!

My husband was home off and on all this past week and weekend. But he has a big "Rig Move" coming up this week so he will be gone again for a few days.

American Idol fans??? Ok so usually there is one (Carrie Underwood) that I can pick out right away as the potential winner. But so far no one has really grabbed me. There are a few that I like but none that I can really say "That's it, they are gonna win" Plus, does anyone notice that it is all girls? The guys suck this year!


This is what happens when i go to the library! No, I am not re-doing my house. I just like to look at house books.


Knitting - My Birdsnest Smoke Ring is coming along. I really like this pattern. It is a 28 row repeat! So you really have to keep your place. It is not complicated but just interesting enough!

I made this sweater a couple months ago and neatly tucked it away for blocking. Well, I forgot all about it! So I just started blocking it. I think it is going to be perfect!

Books I have read - "The Choice" by Suzanne Woods Fisher - I am part of the Blog Tour for this book so come back on Wed. the 27th for my review, book info, and a giveaway!

Contests - My friend Erin from - Quinn's Essentials, is having a giveaway (a copy of her book "Haunting Beauty" and chocolate)!
Toni at A Circle of Books is giving away "American Rust" by Philipp Meyer, sounds like a really good book to me!
Vera at Luxury Reading is giving away "Female Brain Gone Insane" by Mia Lundin. If you are anything like me you will need this book! Mom- please sign up! LOL (just joking!) but seriously it does sound real good.
A Sea of Books is having tons of good giveaways! Books and Audiobooks, just keep scrolling down to find them all.

Top 5 -If you had to choose only one (NOT BOTH!!!!!!)
1. Male or Female Author? - Female
2. Wool or Cotton? - Wool
3. Clothing store or Bookstore? - Bookstore
4. Crafting or Cooking? - Crafting
5. Too cold or Too hot? - too hot

Heat wave in NY!

Oh an enemy elastic band attacking.
I shall defeated it!
Ah ha! It's mine!
I am defeated.


A flock of Morning Doves.


What's happening - A funny thing happened on the way to the blog...
I was listening to the newest Keith Urban song "Till summer comes around" I had heard it only a few times but everytime it reminds me of another song by another singer but couldn't figure it out. I was telling Ashley because Keith Urban is her favorite singer. Then all of the sudden I thought "Train" it reminds me of Train! So I got out my Train CDs (I have several) popped one in the CD player and thought "Wow, I love this group!!!!!" I had forgotten how much I love them! I texted Ashley and said "I am really loving this CD right now" I was dancing all around the house listening to "Calling all Angels" I never did figure out which song it reminded me of but I don't think it is Train. I am still happy though because I have put them on top of my CD pile!

We are having a heat wave! It has been in the 40's for about a week! I am not complaining, I love it. Glen, who is a snowmobiler, is not too happy though. He had off this weekend and wanted to go snowmobiling, but no snow on the trails.

I will have a few kids all day for Martin Luther King day. Maybe we can go for a walk since it is so warm outside.

I went shopping in Ithaca on Sat. by myself. Went to Kohls and got a couple pair of jeans and a sweater. Went to Barnes and Nobel and got 3 new books - "The sweet By and By" by country singer Sara Evans! It is a novel (not a memoir). "Whistlin Dixie in a Nor'easter" by Lisa Patton, and "Half Broken Horses" by Jannette Walls (Her first book -The Glass Castle was excellent!)

The Jets beat the Chargers in the play-offs! I am an official temporary Jets fan just till the end of the season (since the Steelers are out). Go Jets!!!

Knitting -


This a cute simple beret that I made, from start to finish, in 24 hrs.! I love it! It is soft and comfortable.

I have just started the "Bird's nest smoke ring". I am making it out of yarn I bought from PennyRose yarn, it is hand dyed superwash merino. This is her blog link - The Yarnarian. She has some really nice yarn, and her prices are very reasonable. You should check it out (Mom, Chris, Toni).

Books I have read - "Mission Possible: The Wonderful Story of God and a Wycliffe Translator in the Jungles of Papua New Guinea" by Marilyn Lazlo.
Wow! What a great book! 5 stars. This was one of the more interesting books I have read. Every chapter told about a new adventure. I found myself reading much of it out loud to Glen, so he enjoyed it too. It is about a missionary, a woman, who went to Papua New Guinea as a missionary and a translator. Back then they had no written language, no alphabet, so none of their language had ever been recorded. So she started at the beginning, learning the language, making an alphabet, teaching all the people how to read it, writing simple books for teaching, then start translating the bible! They built a school, a translation center, a church, a health center, a large steel boat used to spread the gospel, as well as a house for herself! What she did was amazing. I own this book so if anyone is interested in borrowing it let me know, it is worth it!
This was my first country in my
"Reading through 12 countries"
1. Papua New Guinea - January

Contests - Dar at Peeking Between the Pages is giving away 3 copies of "The last Song" by Nicholas Sparks!! Actually she is having tons of giveaways! So many I can't post them all so go here and just scroll down to find them all.

10 things that make me happy -
1. Books
2. Getting free things in the mail (books, samples, little gifts)
3. That first cup of coffee
4. Having my daughter over for dinner
5. Shopping when I actually have money to spend
6. My husband coming home
7. Listening to some of my favorite music
8. Pizza night
9. Watching my favorite shows on TV
10. Vacations! (not just going away, but when I actually don't have to work)

Just another week

Acrobatic squirrel!


Downey woodpecker.


Rose breasted Nuthatch.

White breasted nuthatch.

Another Martina picture.



New country singer, Josh Thompson. Where have you been all my life????



What's happening -OK, I want you all to scroll down to the post "Still Holiday-ing" click on the comments and see where Caroline Leavitt, the Author of "Girls in Trouble" commented on my Blog!!!!!!!! Wow, I am so honored! Thank you Caroline for reading my blog! I look forward to reading more books by you.

I seriously thought I had put my cordless house phone through the washing machine. You all know I have a bad habit of leaving it in strange places all over the house. I took it upstairs with me to get some dirty laundry. I stuck the phone in the basket on top of the clothes to walk downstairs. I went in the laundry room and threw the clothes in the washer. When I was in the living room and wanted to make a call I couldn't find the phone. All of the sudden, remembering where I had it last, I gasped! and ran into the laundry room. I just stared at the washer listening for a chunk, clunk, but didn't hear any. I looked up into the basket and there it was! It must have fallen to the bottom when I threw in the clothes, phew! Close call! I really have to stop doing that.

My sister (and the whole family!) came over on Sat. There were 13 total (including kids). My sister roasted a turkey and brought it with her! When she and her boyfriend got here she just took over my kitchen, I LOVED it! I told her she can come over and cook for me anytime. It was a good day, I think everyone had fun.

I have two books coming for book reviews, so look for them in the near future.
one is -"The Choice" by Suzanne Woods Fisher.
And the other one -"The Long Way Home" by Andrew Klavan.

Knitting - Here are some pictures I have been promising you. This is some stuff I made for Christmas.

Small purse I made for my sister.

Felted purses for my daughter and one niece.
Leg warmers for my daughter. These were a real pain in the neck! I almost quit after the first one. I am so glad she loves them.




Books I have read -"Bookends" by Jane Green, Let me start by saying as a rule I do not like British books. I haven't found one yet that I liked, although I do keep trying. After this one, I think I will just give up! There just wasn't much happening here. This book reminded me very much of the TV show "Friends" while it worked on TV, it made for a really dull book. It was just kind ho hum everyday boring stuff until the very last 1/6 of the book. Then finally something exciting was happening. I would give the whole first 5/6 a 2 star rating and the ending a 4, so that averages to a 3, and I am being generous. Other people liked this book, I just didn't. AND while I love listening to a British accent I hate reading it! I swear some of the time I had no idea what they were talking about. Like - How are we Americans suppose to know that "The tube" is the train/subway? Here in America "the tube" is slang for TV. It took me a while to figure that one out. So stuff like that really throws off the plot.

Contests - Dar from Peeking Between the Pages is giving away a copy of "The Little Giant of Aberdeen County" by Tiffany Baker, sound like a really great book, it has gotten real good reviews! So go check it out!

A Sea of Books is giving away 5 copies of "Prime-Time Health" by William Sears, MD, it looks like it could be a very interesting book!

Toni at A Circle of Books is giving away a copy of "The Little Giant of Aberdeen" by Tiffany Baker also! So you will have lots of chances to win this book!

Top 5 - Sayings that you use all the time (please NO swear words).
1. "Oh my word!"
2. "Oh for heavens sake"
3. "Oh crap"
4. "run-a-muck"
5. "No way!"

2010

This is what my knitting patterns usually look like by the time I am finished. I always copy them on the copier so I can write all over them, cut them up and tape them in the order I want and then throw them out when I am done, never ruining the original.



This squirrel is 5 feet up on that post that he climbed. He will just never give it up! Where there is bird seed, there are squirrels.



What's happening - Cold, Cold, Cold! On Sunday it was 10, but the wind was blowing 15 mph so with the wind chill it was -15. Indecently- we do have some snow on the ground now, about 4-6 inches (where the wind hasn't blown it away).
My husband was home for New Years eve! I didn't think he would be, but he left the following morning. We went out to dinner at an old Hotel built in the 1800's. They had a great buffet with Roast beef, turkey, ham, scallop potatoes, stuffed shells, ravioli, rice patties, baked beans, home made applesauce, cheese and crackers, breads and rolls, and a great salad bar. Followed by cookies and hot cocoa. Then we came home had a glass of wine and watched "Amittyville horror" remember that movie? I haven't seen that since I was a teenager. Man, for a movie made in the 70's it was scary! You guys do know that it is based on a true story right here in NY! The house really does stand in Amittyville NY. Anyway I stayed up till midnight, Glen fell asleep but I woke him up at 11:59 (that is our tradition) we kissed and were in bed by 12:10.

A friend of our from the church passed away on Christmas day. She was one of the nicest, sweetest, and godliest women I knew! I know Jesus is so happy to have you with him, Betty.
We will really miss her. Glen was home so he could go to the memorial service with me. It was really, not a sad one, but one where there were alot of stories and good memories.

Glen was off to work at 5:00 Mon. morning and will not be home probably till Fri. or Sat. I will know when he gets here. On Sunday afternoon he gave me snowblower lessons (his parents gave us their old one), yeah, like that went well! I told Glen - I think it would be easier to move down south. I really can't see myself doing this every morning.

Monday morning - back to work, kids cam bright and early as usual. Everyone seemed glad to be back. They were all very talkative, telling me all about their vacations.

Knitting - You guys are not helping me out choosing a new knitting project! I think I am going to knit a cowl, or smoke ring, or wimple (what ever you want to call them) here are some links - Abby, Wavy feathers wimple, Birds nest smoke ring. Get your vote in, help me decide!

Books I have read - "A Room of One's Own" Virginia Woolf. This is a classic written in 1929. While this may not be for every reader, I did enjoy it. It is an extended essay on women as both writers of fiction and as characters in fiction during the 1400 - 1800's, It is really about sexism! Back then women didn't or couldn't write. They never really stood a chance. And even if they had written they wouldn't have gotten the recognition for it. I loved the line - "I would venture to guess that Anonymous, who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman". I dare anyone who likes great literature and is interested in sexism throughout the ages, read this book! (I own it if anyone wants to borrow it!)
"The Outsider" by Ann Gabhard, This book about Shaker life in KY during the early 1800's wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. It was good, just not great. It was a very simple story line, but... for a very simple story line it seemed very long, like things were added to make it longer, and then for such a long, simple story line, the ending seemed way too abrupt! I think the story should have been shorter and the ending longer. The story took place over 3 yrs. but the ending was like 5 min.

In 2009 - I read 75 books.
65 of them were written by women.
All of my top 10 books were written by women.
23 were non-fiction (or memoirs)
24 were historical

My favorite books of 2009
1.The Help - Kathryn Stockett
2. The Believers - Janice Holt Giles
3. Children of the Dust - Betty Grant Henshaw
4. North of Beautiful - Justina Headley Chen
5. The Shape of Mercy - Susan Meissner
6. Still Alice - Lisa Genova
7. Casting Spells - Barbara Bretton
8. Roseflower Creek - J. L. Miles
9. In the Land of Cotton - Martha Taylor
10. William Henry is a Fine Name - Cathy Gohlke




Lady Antebellum is one of my favorite groups and this is my favorite song by them! Their new CD by the same title is coming out Jan.26th. I will right there buying it. This video clip is not the one seen on CMT or GAC, it is a behind the scenes video (I actually don't really care for the real video, I like this one better). I liked this group right from the start, which is unusual for me. There are not too many "newbies" that I like right away. Little Big Town was one of those that I liked right away too.

Book Review

Thank you Dixie Phillips for sending me these beautiful Childrens books!

Author Dixie Phillips sent me these four Childrens book that she had written. They are all beautiful paperback books with great story lines and bright illustrations that will surely catch any child's eye.

Stubby's Destiny - by Dixie Phillips, illustrated by Kim Sponaugle. A young Donkey longs to be something great. Just as he is about to give up hope he is the chosen one! The one who is to carry Jesus through the streets! Inspirational book about having faith and not giving up hope.

One Noble Journey - by Dixie Phillips, illustrated by Kim Sponaugle. This story is about two girls, friends even thought they shouldn't be. One is an orphan, the other is the daughter of a Count. The orphan girl is accused of theft, the Count's daughter gets lost in the woods. Can these two events change the Count's heart?

Baby Jesus is Missing - by Dixie Phillips, illustrated by K.C. Snider. A town Christmas decorating contest gets so competitive that the true meaning of Christmas gets lost. A young boy brings back the true spirit when the family "Baby Jesus" is missing! A wonderful Christmas book with a great message.

Angel Eyes - by Dixie Phillips, illustrated by Sponaugle. This the amazing story of the life of Christ seen through the eyes of two young Angels. From Jesus' birth, his death on the cross ending with his rising after three days.
This was my favorite book. It was a beautiful account of Jesus' life that children will be able to understand. There were tears rolling down my cheeks as I read this tender story.

These books will make great gifts for the children in your life. These are great tools to use for discussing christian values, and a great way to introduce young children to what it means to be a christian and lead a christian life.

Thanks again Dixie and I look forward to reading more of your books in the future!
Visit Dixie's Blog at - From the Heart of Dixie