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Friend’s Thanksgiving
On a recent Sunday, we marked the ninth annual Friend’s Thanksgiving dinner. What a blessing to have 61 of my closest friends all together, squeezed in really, in my home. We cooked two turkeys, one smoked and one roasted. Friends came bearing ham, potatoes, pumpkin pie and all the other Thanksgiving treats including Kristin’s fabulous Sweet Potato Surprise.I find myself thinking about these relationships often this time of year. The base of the group formed in college. I lived at Azalea House, a co-op on the campus of Oregon State University with about fifty other women. My husband lived next door at Avery Lodge with a bunch of guys. As time went by, we Azalea girls found ourselves marrying the boys next door, literally. After graduation, we went our separate ways but over the years many of us have returned home to Corvallis were we live near each other, raise and in many cases homeschool our children together, and attend church together. We are a family.More friends have come into the group, some through marriage and some through acquaintance. Yes, a few of us actually married outside the original herd and I am so grateful. As I write this, I find myself grinning. If you know Lisa, you probably understand why.I have just finished Uncharted by Angela Hunt. A group of friends from college are reunited after many years of lost contact only to find themselves stranded on an uncharted island. Let me tell you, I am so thankful that my life didn’t follow that course. If you’re looking for a good read, pick this one up. I found myself convicted but strengthened by the story. Oh, and if you do read the book I assure you that none of my friends share the same secret as Mark.I think.I pray that you will all have a blessed Thanksgiving. -
How Do You Find the Time?
People often ask me how I find the time to write while homeschooling, taking care of our home and farm, and all the other things that amount to life. The answer is simple. I write at football practice, soccer practice, gymnastics, stoplights (only when I get an idea I can’t risk forgetting), and even while I make dinner. Isn’t multi-tasker one of the greatest descriptions of a mother?My friend, Shannon, walked into my kitchen a couple of weeks ago and laughed at the scene. I had one hand stirring dinner and the the other on a print out. Rewrites are very mobile. So for all of you who are wondering, I do not get up at 5am and I do not stay up all night. Okay, sometimes I do, but not regularly.If you’re a mom I’m sure you can think of the things that you love so much that you fit them in somehow. For me those things are my God, my husband, my kiddos, and my writing.Have a great week and take time to enjoy your passions. -
ACFW Conference and a few great reads
Well, I’m home from Minnesota and I after a few weeks I’ve adjusted to life again. The trip was great. The conference was exceptional. I can’t begin to tell you how much my writing and my life was impacted by those four days. I’m already looking forward to next year in Denver.
One of the things I was thinking on as I traveled home was the real lack of Christian Fiction we have available here in our area. Yes, the CBA has other genres outside of Romance and historicals. The following list is the winners of the ACFW book of the year contest. Check them out. You should be able to order any of these titles from Amazon.com.
If you read any of these books please post a comment and let us know what you thought.
2008 ACFW Book of the Year Winners
Contemporary Novella
First
Finally Home
by Deborah RaneySecond
Moonlight & Mistletoe
by Carrie TuranskyThird
Remaking of Moe McKenna
by Gloria Clover
Debut Author
First
Sushi for One?
by Camy TangSecond
Bayou Justice
by Robin Miller writing as Robin CarollThird
In Between
by Jenny B. Jones
Historical Novella
First
Love Notes in Love Letters Anthology
by Mary DavisSecond
Beyond the Memories
by DiAnn MillsThird
The Spinster & The Tycoon
by Vickie McDonough
Lits
First
Splitting Harriet
by Tamara LeighSecond
Sushi for One?
by Camy TangThird
One Little Secret and The Book of Jane
Allison Bottke and Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt
Long ContemporaryFirst
Within This Circle
by Deborah RaneySecond
Like Always
by Robert ElmerThird
Autumn Blue
by Karen Harter
Long HistoricalFirst
Veil of Fire and Where Willows Grow
by Marlo SchaleskySecond
Fancy Pants and Then Came Hope
by Cathy Marie Hake and Louise GougeThird
Courting Trouble
by Deeanne Gist
Mystery
First
Your Chariot Awaits
by Lorena McCourtneySecond
Death of a Garage Sale Newbie
by Sharon DunnThird
Sticks And Stones
by Susan Meissner
Short ContemporaryFirst
The Heart of Grace
by Linda GoodnightSecond
Heart of the Family
by Margaret DaleyThird
Wedded Bliss
by Kathleen Y’Barbo
Short Contemporary SuspenseFirst
Caught Redhanded
by Gayle RoperSecond
Pursuit of Justice
by Pamela TracyThird
Nowhere to Hide and Her Christmas Protector
by Debby Giusti and Terri Reed
Short Historical
First
Canteen Dreams and Golden Days
by Cara PutmanSecond
A Wealth Beyond Riches
by Vickie McDonoughThird
A Time to Keep
by Kelly Eileen Hake
Speculative
First
The Restorer’s Son
by Sharon HinckSecond
Demon: A Memoir
by Tosca LeeThird
DragonFire
by Donita Paul
SuspenseFirst
Black Ice
by Linda HallSecond
Coral Moon
by Brandilyn CollinsThird
Abomination
by Colleen Coble
Women’s Fiction
First
Remember to Forget
by Deborah RaneySecond
Watercolored Pearls
by Stacy Hawkins AdamsThird
A Promise To Remember
by Kathryn Cushman
Young AdultFirst
In Between
by Jenny B. JonesSecond
Sara Jane: Liberty’s Torch
byEleanor ClarkThird
Saving Sailor
by Renee RivaOverall Book of the Year Winner
Distant Echoes by Colleen Coble
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It was another great Benton County Fair this year. The boys worked hard and in the end made a good profit on their projects. Ryan sold one of his steers at the Lee Allen Memorial Auction and Joshua sold a lamb. Special thanks to Stahlbush Island Farms and C & L Farms for buying the boys animals.In other big news, Emma won the best of class with her pickled quail eggs. Yes, you heard that right. The girl made pickled quail eggs. It is a recipe she got from her grandparents and it was quite a hit with the judges.Aleasha won many ribbons for her artwork this year and again one first place in cake decorating.The fair would not be so wonderful if it wasn’t for the hard work put in by the 4H staff and volunteer. Thank you!
