A Bride at Last

I am a book reviewer for Bethany House, I am given a free book to read.  The only requirement I have is to give an  honest review.

 The lastest book I have read is "A Bride at Last" by Melissa Jagears, it is her third book in the
Unexpected Bride series.

As soon as I read the first book, I knew I would have to read all three. Melissa has a way of capturing
your heart and you feel like you are right there in the story and just don't want to put the book down.

One of the main characters Silas Jonesey has fought a battle of recovering from making bad choices.
He had been abandoned by a mail-order bride. He had prayed for reconciliation and was contacted by his estranged wife. Upon his arrival to the town of her whereabouts he learns of her death. Little did he know that she had a nine year old son. Could the son be his, the son he never knew about. How can he find out. And to make matters worse another man shows up claiming the boy as his.

 Another character Kate Dawson, is Anthony's teacher, she had been helping out with the care of him and his mother. Kate assumes that she will take on the care of Anthony.
But what is going to happen when  two men appear on the scene claiming that they are or could be Anthony's father.

Silas can see that Anthony loves Kate. How can he prove his paternity to the courts.
Will the common interest that Silas and Kate have in Anthony lead to an interest in each other,
or will the secrets and past hurts come out to haunt their relationship?

You will have to read the book to find out. I enjoyed this book so much and recommend it highly.
I believe that it was my favorite in the series.

Summer time fun

We recently took a family vacation to Ocean City, Md. we had a wonderful time.
It was wonderful being together as a family, and I ate my share of seafood, which I love.
 One of the highlights for me was having my grandchildren take an old timey photo,
they had so much fun dressing up and getting the photo's taken. Ocean City has sand sculptures
on the beach of Jesus, pictures just don't do justice, they are so beautiful in person.
 I also want to show my newest finished cross stitch, I am beginning to think of fall.
Lots of photo's to share.

Scarecrow's Ride cross stitch

Jake sure got into playing in the sand

Luke, Riley, Cole and Jake playing in the sand

Ronnie and I

Sunrise one morning as I walked on the beach

Mat and Stephanie

Luke and Rhonda

Pappy and his babies

Sand sculptures at night

Go cart rides

Riley

Cole and Jake

Me and my grandbabies

Annie get your gun, you have competition

The three amigo's

Cowboys

Howdy partner

Round em up cowboys

New Creations

I wanted to show a few things I have been working on over the last several weeks.

I have made a few pumpkin dolls to sell. Farmhouse Prims, hit the link to email me to purchase

or if you have any questions.  First I have two stump pumpkin dolls, they are inspired by a

"Sweetmeadows Farm" pattern. I am asking $36.99 each plus shipping.

Next I have two standing pumpkin gals, inspired by a "Happy Heart" pattern, I am asking

$29.99 each plus shipping.

Last I want to share two Mammy dolls with babies that I have made, inspired by "Chestnut Junction",



I am considering keeping these for myself, but not sure yet. Love how they turned out.

Wanted to show a recent cross stitch project, pattern by Joyce Reed, love it!

I also want to share our July Christmas gift from our grandchildren Cole and Riley,
I enjoy opening the envelope every month and seeing the photo's, their little notes and surprises.
Christmas in July for sure.

The Texture of Life

First I would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy 4th. of July. I also want to share a video with you,
"the Texture of Life", The Tusing Sisters of Branch Mountain.
It is approx. 28 min. long, but if you have time please watch it, especially if you love the
simple things of life. And if you like weaving, coverlets and things like that.
The Tusing sisters farm is not very far from our farmhouse in WV, I love driving by there farm whenever we are in WV and I visualize them in my mind when they lived there.
 They were also contacted by the Smithsonian in Washington, DC concerning their weaving and coverlets. My dad said he remembers them well and that when he was young they would allow him to hunt on their property. I also went to school with their one niece and she has bonnets and aprons that they made her as a child. She also owns one of their coverlets.
 And one thing that is so neat is that the preacher, Rev. Harold Emswiller, pastored a church here in Timberville. He has recently passed away, but a few years ago I met him. I said are you the pastor that used to go have church services with the Tusing Sisters of Branch Mountain, yes, he said, " I am the one". Enjoy this video, it is worth watching.

"Texture of LIfe" Tusing Sisters of Branch Mountain

One proud Grandma

I just had to share something with you about my Granddaughter. She has such a kind heart,
I did know that she had been saving her money for a long time. She sold crafts made with duck tape and
clay, she has also had a yard sale and has really been saving her money. Well she had a goal of $100,
she met her goal and her momma took her shopping. Not for herself to but buy things for the local SPCA shelter. My daughter said the SPCA was so thankful for the donation from Riley.
I am just so proud of her, most people would have used that money to buy them self something.
What a wonderful act of kindness and one proud grandma.
You are such a special young lady "Miss Riley".

Graduation Celebration

This past weekend we went to WV to celebrate my daughters graduation from James Madison University. I am so proud of her, it has been a long journey going to school and raising a family.
She still has a year and a half to go, she is starting school at Mary Baldwin to finish her social work degree, so she is almost there. I can never thank the Lord enough for how he has touched her life.
She has overcome her eating disorder, she has an insulin pump, (you probably can't see it, but it is in her pocket and looks like a pager). She loves it and it controls her blood sugars so much better, and she is feeling well and happy! I am just so thankful! When she feels well she is just so bubbly and full of life.
 I invited my family and we had a big family cookout. We had such a wonderful time, the only thing,
my battery died in my camera, so I didn't get all the photo's that I wanted to. But I will share the ones I did get.
I love the conveniences of living in Va. being close to everything and my grandbabies.
But when I go to WV it is like another world, so laid back and peaceful.
 We are praying about what to do with that property. It is really hard taking care of both places,
plus the expense. I have a brainstorm of creating a website and renting it out for weekends and weeks of vacations. I really think people from DC and the city would just love it there, so peaceful and remote.
That way it would help pay for it, and also we could still enjoy it. Not sure what all I would
have to do to make this happen.
 I also want to show an Americana cross stitch that I recently finished. The pattern is by Joyce Reed,
she has several with the mammy and children. I just love mammies too.

Surprise Stephanie and Mat

Family, I am so blessed.

My parents and most of their clan.

We are putting the cards for Steph in an old picnic basket

Old building

Beautiful view of the mountains

The other side of the farmhouse

Little Bo

Another view

Just love these old buildings

Ronnie, Bo and me

Americana cross stitch

Until Harvest, A must read!

I am a book reviewer for Bethany House, my only requirement is that I read the book and give
an honest review.
 A while back I read the first book in the "Appalachian Blessings" series "Miracle in a Dry Season",
and I knew when the second book came out that I would have to read it also.
 The author Sarah Loudin Thomas is just wonderful, one of the best authors I have found
in a long time. She makes you feel like you are right there with the characters. This book was awesome, I just couldn't put it down.
 The story takes place in 1975 in Wise, WV. That got my attention right from the start, since
I grew up in WV and we now have a farmhouse there. I also graduated from high school in 1976, so
that was my era. he he
 Another thing that really touched my heart is that one of the main characters is a type 1 insulin diabetic. I know first hand what the struggles are with that,  having a daughter that is a diabetic.
 The book centers around Henry Phillips and his family. Two of the other main characters are a young
girl named Margaret and her diabetic sister. Margaret is Henry Phillips grandmother's caregiver.
 A tragedy happens in the Phillips family that turns Henry's world upside down. It takes Henry
a while to realize that he isn't the only person around that has trials and heartaches.
 It is a story about tragedy, but also of hope, family bonds and healing.
 I recommend this book highly and know you won't be disappointed.