God’s Little Surprises
Rules for Passengers
We shipped Wayne’s precious sports car from Seattle to Florida this time around. Because of inclement weather and poor driving conditions his Acura NSX didn’t arrive until yesterday afternoon. As soon as the phone call came that the car was in town and would be delivered shortly, Wayne started pacing like an expectant father. Once it was safely secure in his garage, he reviewed the passenger rules. Right off the top—NO KNITTING. Apparently it destroys his imagine. NO WAVING and most important of all, NO SMILING Read more
Winding Yarn
2008 Special Phrase
Every year I choose a special word for the year. It sometimes takes me a few days to come up with my word. In 2007 I had my word even before the first of the year and it was PASSIONATE. I long to live my life with passion and I believe that I do. For 2008 my word has been slow in coming and then this morning it dawned on me that it isn’t a word this year but a phrase. MAKE A DIFFERENCE. It’s possible for one single person to make a difference and that’s my prayer for this next year. I want to make a diffe Read more
Back from the Islands
Pearl Harbor
Merry Christmas!
This is my last day in the office, as Wayne and I are flying to Hawaii for ten days. The last day I’ll be in Port Orchard in 2007. Unbelievable, isn’t it, that yet another year has passed? My heart is full, as I know how blessed I am to be able to write, which I so love doing. My cup spills over to have been gifted with such loyal, faithful readers. Merry Christmas, everyone, and may the good Lord bless you now and into the New Year.Read more
Stress & Chocolate
Joyful in Hope
I had dinner with three of my dearest friends last evening. We did a Christmas gift exchange, which is always fun. Linda Nichols, a fellow author and knitter, gave me one of Stephanie Pearl McPhee’s books, along with a bookmark.
The bookmark has a Scripture verse from Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope . . . faithful in prayer.
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Mrs. Christmas & Mr. Humbug
Christmas Teas
Fruitcake!
I had such a wonderful time judging fruitcake at the Port Gamble Country Christmas celebration this past Saturday. Of course, the fact that many of the entrants doused their fruitcakes with liquor might have had something to do with all the fun the judges had. To be honest, a couple of the fruitcakes required a chainsaw in order to be sliced, but overall, they were delicious . . . Read more
Country Christmas
Red Letter Day
When It Rains, It Pours!
Winter Storms
Wayne and I are intrepid souls. We braved a winter storm, hostile travelers and a blizzard in order to make our annual trek to Leavenworth, WA last weekend. After arriving home—taking eight hours for a trip that is normally three hours or less—we looked at one another and said, “We’re not doing this again.” Ok Read more
The Bavarian Village of Leavenworth
Wayne and I are making our annual pilgrimage to Leavenworth, Washington, this weekend, braving the winter passes and the forecast for snow. First we’re headed to Colville to wish his mother a happy 92nd birthday and visiting good friends along the way. Our son, Ted, wife Lana, and their family, will be joining us in this Winter Wonderland. I’m doing a breakfast Saturday morning, which is always fun, plus a signing later in the day, too. We do so love this special little town. For those of y Read more
One of God’s Little Surprises
I worked late last night. Everyone had already left the office, but I’d decided to keep writing. Read more
The Power of Positive Thinking
I was in New York last week just before Thanksgiving to speak at the Guideposts offices in Pawling for their annual Thanksgiving Day of Prayer. The highlight of my visit was tea with Ruth Stafford Peale, wife of Norman Vincent Peale, the author of THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING. Back in the days when I wrote on a rented typewriter and received a barrage of rejections, the one thing that kept me going, that gave me hope and encouraged me, was this book. Later, after I sold my first novel, I wrote Dr. Read more
Happy Thanksgiving!
Like many of you, I’m getting ready for the big Thanksgiving feast. I have our turkey soaking in a brine, the recipe from Martha Stewart. The kitchen countertops are loaded down with the items I need for all the recipes I intend to cook. Later this morning, I’ll set the big table in our dining room with our best china and silverware. Then I’ll place a Bible verse by each place setting lest we forget all the things for which we are thankful. My list is long this year. I have been blessed in so many ways, and for that I tha Read more
When I’m in the Middle of a Book . . .
What’s Up, Doc?
My week has been filled with doctor appointments. Thus far I’ve been pinched, poked, and prodded, and it’s only Thursday. I still have a mammogram and the dentist to see. Because I also have physical therapy appointments squeezed in with everything else, it all got condensed into this one week.
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Minnie Pearl and Me
This morning I had an early physical therapy appointment. I was feeling really good in my brand new pair of pants and new sweater, both in lovely autumn shades of beige and brown.
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Veterans Day
On Monday we celebrate Veterans Day. For years my father proudly marched in the veterans parade in my home town of Yakima, Washington. He served in the Army during World War II, was captured toward the end of the war, and held as a prisoner of war in Germany.
My father was fiercely proud of his role in the war and became active in the local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). My parents were part of the Greatest Generation and I am exceedingly proud to be their daughter.
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