Spring Flowers...

I am amazed at 1 days worth of growth in flowers...
Here is what the Crocuses looked like Sabbath -














And Sunday -








Amazing!!

I think Spring has sprung!
Yay!

Now, can anyone tell me what to do with the rest of the garden?
;)

The Secret by Beverly Lewis

I was loaned two Beverly Lewis Books, these are not the 1st books of hers I have read... but they are the 1st I've read that were only the beginning of a series. (I tend to like to read a whole series at once - sequentially.)

'The Secret' it is Book one of "Seasons of Grace" Series by Beverly Lewis. Like all of Beverly Lewis books this one had the slow paced reading to set the stage of the Amish world and had all the beauty and richness the setting gives in ones imagination. The Secret is about the Byler family and the unexplained behavior of the mother, Lettie. It gives glimpses in to relationships we can all relate to and sometimes face - people who do not communicate well, workaholics and 'lost souls' who wander around looking for meaning. Added to the old charm of the Amish is the new fangled “Englishers” who visit the area in search of simplicity.

This book was riddled with questions and anguish that comes with secrets that impact families. This being the first book in the series… we the readers, are left with some frustration as many of the intriguing points are not resolved in this book. Hence we look forward to the next one in the series. The majority of the book focuses on Grace Byler – the oldest Daughter in the family. She seems to be most impacted by her mother’s decisions and has the most questions and life decisions to make without the normal aid of family that most Amish have. Interjected in the story is an Englisher who comes to stay the summer and has anguish of her own and whose future and happiness seems undetermined at this point.

There is a lot of heartache and pain in this book – and I found it to be uncomfortable, the Amish characters tried to embrace faith and hope, while the Englishers searched for solace and simplicity. Neither are fulfilling at this point.

I am not sure if I would recommend this book, it is a hard read… there is a lot of raw emotion covered by the simplicity of the Amish. Quite a lot of High drama, if you like that – then you will like this book.

Giveaways

I am amazed at how many people are running giveaways. How do they do that?? I'd love to do that too... so if you have any tips on getting started, please let me know. :D

Here are a few I like (esp for my boys):

Thomas the Train
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Will try to let you know IF I win too!

Cutest Aprons...

I found a giveaway for the cutest aprons I've seen yet!
You must check these out!!

Here is the website for the aprons.

Adorable, no?

Don't forget to let me know if you win...

Books...

I'm getting a book to review!!
It's my 1st actual "official" review... and I'm excited!
So, watch this space - till it arrives I will review some other books I've read.
And comment on some authors I love.

Who are your favorite authors?

Spring!

So - I think it may be (almost) premature to say spring has sprung... but it's trying!
The crocuses are coming up... I'll try to get a photo of them once they are more then a tiny purple bud half out the ground. :D

My boys are enjoying the warmer weather - at first they were crying because of the snow melting. Lol! They were sad 'cause they could not sled anymore. But they have been biking all week (so far) and loving it. There go their blues about the snow melting!

I am looking forward to reviewing a few books for you... I'm going to the Library soon and hope to go thru some new books. Watch this space!

Well... I'm off to do the dinner-thing. Will try check back later~

Journey's begin with a step

So my journey is off to a rocky start... I'm sick, my boys are all sick too. This is not the best way to start anything. BUT I will not be deterred from my goal. I am reading and loving it! I think I've almost finished a trilogy from Tracie Peterson.... and I think I'll devote the next blog to that story. For now, however, I'm going back to bed. :D