Long Trail Home (The Texas Trail Series) by Vickie McDonough book review

This is the third book in the Texas Trail series and I have enjoyed them all so far.  The characters are interesting and the author's backdrop is vividly conjured in my mind.  This is Christian, historical, western, romance fiction novel sure to please many.

Mini-Quilt #1 "Basic Blocks"

Mini-Quilt #1 "Basic Blocks"

Quilting - my latest attempt at a new hobby.   I've never used a sewing machine before but I'm loving quilting and learning a lot. There is a quilting group in my area that provides the instruction, fabric, sewing machines, thread, everything if you provide the labor to make mini-quilts for patients in the local hospital.  This is what I learned at my first time ....how to attach 5" blocks using a quarter inch seam.....

 

 We meet once a month.  Below is a photo of my progress after the second meeting.  I found a backing fabric and added batting to make a quilt sandwich now that I have the blocks all sewn together.  The next beginner step is to stitch-in-the-ditch starting in the middle.

 

Since I don't own a sewing machine, I had to wait till the next meeting time to finish off my mini-quilt and after 3 months of lessons, here it is - - ->

And now it's completed.  The group adds these labels to personalize the quilts a little.  I surely hope this quilt will brighten a hospital patient's room!

Twelve Days of Christmas: A Story And A Treat

Did you know that the Twelve Days of Christmas starts on December 13th?!

This year, I sent a package to a brother that lives far away. Each day, there is a Christmas story to read along with a coordinating treat. Below is the list of stories and a description of the treat that goes with it. 

Day 1, 3,4,5,7,8,10,11 (perishable)

Day 2, Day 9, Day 12 (non perishable)

Day 12

Day 1: A Christmas Family (red envelope filled with chocolate coins)
Day 2: Rudolph---That Amazing Reindeer (should be ‘Pin the Tail on the Donkey' (reindeer); but they get – 'Pin the Nose on the Snowman' game)
Day 3: An Older Brother's Gift (Lifesavers candy book)
Day 4: The Other Wise Man (candy ring "jewels", Ring Pop Jewels)
Day 5: Christmas Day In The Morning (chocolate milk straws)
Day 6: In Shepherd's Field (should be pooping sheep – pooping penguin)
Day 7: The Christmas Orange (chocolate orange)
Day 8: A Christmas Gift For Jesus (Hot chocolate)
Day 9: Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect (Tree Ring Toss game)
Day 10: Christmas On The Rhine (gingerbread men)
Day 11: A Brother Like That (3 Hot wheel race cars)
Day 12: The Legend of the Candy Cane (A candy cane & 7 sets matching PJs & 7 blinking rudolph noses, Christmas Trivia game)

 

I searched all around town to find coordinating candies. I had the best luck at places like Dollar Tree, Walmart, Walgreens.

I wrapped each candy individually, printed out the story for that day, put it in an envelope and wrote on the envelope what day it is supposed to be opened.

 

 

 

 

 I also included this poem:

We thought this present would be good
to get you in the Christmas mood.
Each day there's a story,
they're all really neat.
Along with each story
comes a special treat.
Open each package one by one
We hope it brings lots of Christmas fun!

Click here to open, view and print the stories (13 stories available - pick 12 according to which you like and/or what treats you can find). I reformatted the stories and added clip art to jazz them up for the little kids.

 Merry Christmas!  The Youngs in Texas

Book Review: Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis

Book Review:  Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis

The Captive Trail is Book #2 of a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896.  Although a series, each book can be read on its own.  And I enjoy all the books' historical aspects intertwined with the fictional Morgan family.  Davis is an excellent writer that makes you see the other side of the story as well as the (fictional) emotion involved.




The main character in this book is 20-year-old Taabe and she has been a Comanche captive for so long she has forgotten English, making it hard for her to explain her situation after she ran away from the Comanche and is searching for her white family.  Through many lessons by the nuns that found her and are caring for her, and the patience and understanding that stage coach/mail delivery driver Ned offers, Taabe learns of her true identity.

As Ned searches for Taabe's family the Comanche are hot on the trail, determined to bring Taabe back to the tribe making for a great read.

This review is my own.  Thanks to Moody Publishing for a complimentary copy to review.

Book Review: The In-Between by Jeff Goins

Book Review:  The In-Between by Jeff Goins
Embracing the Tension between Now and the Next Big Thing

I felt this book fell short.  I was expecting MORE:  HOW to embrace the every day ordinary of now until the Next Big Thing happens in our lives as the subtitle states.  The author Jeff Goins told his life stories very well indeed, and I really felt that I had a good glimpse into his life, but I could rarely relate to his life.  I understood the overall concept that Goins was rushing his life.  And missing some of the great parts In Between.  As we all do.  I too recommend that most all people need to slow down and stop grasping for the Next Big Thing.  As the saying goes:  Life's a Journey, enjoy the travel.  But I thought I would get a big ah-ha moment as to HOW to better Embrace the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing from Goins book and it just wasn't there for me.

This review is my opinion.  Thanks to Moody Publishing Reviewer's Program for the free copy of this book. 

2013 Vacation Day 2

Vacation 2013. Day 2. HORRIFIC storm early this morning. Started raining maybe about 3am but by 5am there were horizontally blowing winds, whirlwinds off the barn we were parked next to, and 3.5 inches of rain all at once. Needless to say, not much sleep was had! When we left, we heard the south route was impassable due to high water so we took the north route on Road 19 and it was underwater in two places. At hwy 166, there was construction and we had to wait for the pilot car. All this within one mile of departure!

In Chetopa, KS heading toward Baxter Springs we see ‘Road Closed’ signs off to the side of the hwy. We thought they were old, no longer valid and headed that way. Yep, bridge washed out. Turned around. Many bridges had water just under their overpass the waters were so high. Headed back to Chetopa, got fuel since we didn’t know how many more impassable areas we would encounter. Went around the washed out bridge. And it was the only one.

Got into Wright City, MO a lot later than expected, about 8:30pm. Uncle Kenneth was kind enough to drive over to see us. We visited with Mom, Dad & Ken then headed over to see Kayla, Danielle, brother Scott and Cindy. Kayla was having a “Final Farewell” party for about 20 of her high school friends before they head out to college in the next few weeks. Left about 11pm. We were all beat tired. And Ken had a hour drive home still!

Laura knit a ruffle scarf using Improv yarn during this day of driving.

2013 Vacation Day 1

Vacation 2013.  Day 1 of 36.  Depart Waco.  Can’t find GPS so turn around & go home to look for it.  Found it where it had fallen behind the driver’s seat.  Depart for second time.  In OKC saw road signs saying I-44 was closed west of Springfield, Mo (this was August 7th, 2013). It's 106 degrees out. Ugh hot. Arrive DH’s parent’s house in Sedan, KS about  8 pm-ish.  Chatted.  Had 3 layer sour cream chocolate cake with Cool Whip Frosting for DH’s “birthday cake”.  Yum.  Called Mom May to ask about I-44 closure and it was closed at exit 172 (Jerome, MO).  Stayed up till about midnight talking.  Laura finished knitting a Plymouth Yarn Chunky scarf during the long drive.