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Guest 2 Advice I Would Give My Younger Self!

3 Aug

Guest 2~Advice I Would Give My Younger Self!

I have asked a few of my author friends to be my guest over the next few weeks as they are exceptional friends and Inspirational writers! The authors I have chosen have published books or are in process of publishing their own books.

Please enjoy my Guest Authors as they candidly and openly share a glimpse into their lives. It is my hope that you will be inspired to visit their sites and check out their work!

The theme of the guest blogs:

Advice I Would Give My Younger Self!

May I Introduce to you  Author and Friend

Terry Palmer

 

What would I advise my younger self? The answers are brutal. In that day and age, before political correctness prevented us from actually saying and doing a corrective action, my answers would be right in my face. No soft fuzzy ‘feel good’ approach where we all hold hands and smile and nod as if the world is good and we bask in the glow of humanity. What a pile of… Sorry, my farm background hits me now and then.

Start with the Word of God and you can’t go wrong. It is given to us for reproof and correction and it speaks the Truth! Truth is exactly what my younger self needed to hear, so… I would take my younger self for a long walk, maybe carry a sharp hard stick for emphasis. But I’d use scripture for the attack. The lilies along the side of the house would be a starting point to use scripture.

I think Matthew 6, about 28 – 34 ought to start the ball rolling. You see… My younger self didn’t have a good concept of the character of God. My younger self needed to be in charge, get ’er done, and who needs God anyway… But Truth tells us otherwise. Consider those lilies, how they toil not nor do they spin and yet here they are, more beautiful than a summer day. So as I turn to get right in the face of my younger self. Here is the question. Are you a fragrance without compare as one of these – or do you stink?

The early lilies offer a radiance of colors which is very welcome after the cold winter. They array of orange and red are a treat along the edge of the flower beds, but… In midsummer, the lilies hit their stride. They burst from my flower beds in stunning cascades of color, but still I wait. Sure, some might relax and know that the game is over but not me. .

Terry's Lilly 1Terry2Terry 3

For the next layer of lilies to open, do so in both beauty and fragrance. It’s the sort of fragrance that You stop as you walk past.

The scent that comes into our bedrooms windows as a soothing tonic is wonderful. I’ve not seen a golden color as this, have you?

So let’s ask that question again. Consider these lilies, how they grow, how they toil not nor spin. Do you get it? Do you know, young man, that God is in control, that God is indeed relevant and wants to know you up close and personal. You need not ‘have to do it all’?

Do you want to or are you willing to ‘put on the clothes of righteousness’ as a good servant of Jesus in order to reflect the ‘fragrance’ of the spirit of God? Or – do you want to offend as a stench to humanity by not reflecting Christ, but something else that is far less? Which will it be young man? Will you shine forth as a fragrant lily – or a skunk flower?

You see that third picture? That could be you. They are cast off Easter lilies saved from the garbage bin and brought out for new life. This cluster represents four years of saving and growing, ready to burst out the Easter story in midsummer. Will you be like them? Will you finally understand the full character of God and trust in him? It only takes a first step of faith. Come on… I have a place to plant your good seed, to grow in the Lord – to become the fragrance that God designed you to be.

 

 

Author Terry Palmer lives in northwestern Wisconsin’s vacationland. Plenty of woods, lakes, and streams follow each bend of the countryside. Terry uses long walks in that scenic beauty to understand the nature of God and bring those moments into his writing.

Chronicles of Orm, a fantasy novel series with deep Christian roots, will be ready as an eBook soon. If you like action/adventure with a romantic twist, then Chronicles of Orm is for you. Contact Terry at Fictionbypalmer@gmail.com.

Here is what our editor has to say about Chronicles of Orm :

“Terry Palmer’s The Chronicles of Orm is a perfect blend of excellent and imaginative writing, employing imagery, a cast of well-established and relatable characters, and a page-turning plotline. Deep biblical truths are intricately woven into the words of this story, and while it examines the age-old struggle of mankind caught in the pull of darkness vs. light, it is a fresh take, a new and wonderful perspective that will entertain, enlighten, and encourage all who read it.” ~Autumn J. Conley, Book Editor (autiej@gmail.com)

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Part 12 If Oak Trees Could Talk

3 Aug

Part 12 If Oak Trees Could Talk!

Wow! Welcome back to Part 12 If Oak Trees Could Talk!” We are moving right along and I am so honored that you’ve chose to spend this time with me each week.

Even though If Oak Trees Could Talk is a fictional story I feel as if by actually telling it to you that I am opening a very private door to a personal place in my heart each week! This is a place of wonderful childhood memories of living on a farm in Kentucky with two exceptional parents and five sisters! My main characters in If Oak Trees Could Talk, are Henry and Helen Tyler that remind me so much of my loving parents!

As we read today and finish Chapter 5 A Gift of Hope, it is indeed my hope that you will continue to let me share my heart with you through this book each week!

Chapter 5

A Gift of Hope

 

When Helen and Amelia knocked on Henry’s door they could hear Henry talking with someone. However, once entering the room, neither of them saw anybody.

“Who was you talking too Henry?” Helen questioned.

“Oh I was just chatting with an old friend.” Henry replied, once again with that mischievous grin upon his face.

“Amelia has something special for you Henry!”

“Oh yeah?” Henry perked up like a little boy. “What is it?”

Amelia handed her Daddy the journals first. He stared blankly at them as if to ask, what are these books for, but then he chuckled out loud.

“Do you like them Daddy?”

Henry never answered Amelia. She proceeded to give him the picture that she had framed.

“There you are!”   Henry replied and chuckled out loud again.

“You’ve not changed a bit.” He continued as if he really was talking with an old friend. Then tears filled his eyes as he took notice of the ladies in the room.

“Come here my daughter.” Henry said as he motioned for Amelia to come.

She did as she was told and Henry hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead.

“No better gift could I have ever received my sweet. I love them and I will use them to get out of here. I promise you my dear.”

“Why are you standing way over there?” He said as he turned to Helen. “Get over here and lay one on me!”

Helen too obeyed and did as Henry commanded. He held her tightly, kissed her square on the lips and whispered softly. “Soon, my Dear, soon I promise, we’re breaking out of this joint!”

Helen smiled tenderly. She knew that Henry never promised her anything that he did not fulfill.   She knew how soon she was to leave Glenview, but when she looked into Henry’s face, she became convinced that he knew more about it than even she did. So she too chuckled with him and hugged him tightly.

Before Amelia left to go home, she was able to get Henry’s picture hung on the wall directly in front of his bed. She had much hope that as Henry seen his “old friend” that the empty journals would be filled, but most importantly her Daddy’s memory would be completely restored and he, along with her mother would be home.

 

Thank you once again for spending this time with me. I hope that you are able to read or “tune in each week, however if you’ve missed any of the story, please check out my blog archives or my Youtube Video Blogs of If Oak Trees Could Talk!

Please keep the comments coming! I’ve so enjoyed and appreciated them.   I hope that you will continue to read along or “tune in” each week to If Oak Trees Could Talk.

“Inspiring One Dreamer at a Time!”

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Part 11 If Oak Trees Could Talk

30 Jul

Part 11 If Oak Trees Could Talk.

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Part 11 If Oak Trees Could Talk

30 Jul

Part 11 If Oak Trees Could Talk

Welcome back to Part 11 If Oak Trees Could Talk. I hope that you have been enjoying my latest Romance/Suspense Novel. When I began Video Blogging my book, I wasn’t for sure if it was a good idea or not, however I have really enjoyed sharing it with you. I didn’t know if anyone had ever shared their books like this, but hey I’m a little “out there” sometimes, so I’m going for it. I hope that you will continue to go along for the ride.

Today we begin in Chapter 6 A Gift of Hope


Chapter 6

A Gift of Hope

When Amelia left her Dad, she went straight to the closest office supply store and bought her Dad the biggest, thickest journals that she could find and many pencils, erasers, and sharpeners.   She prayed as she paid for them that the Lord would help her Dad fill each page with memories of his life that he so desperately needed to remember. She also went home, got her camera and took a picture of the old Oak tree. Amelia hoped that seeing his old friend would help jar her Daddy’s memory. She was determined to do anything to help her parents come home. After she had taken the picture, she had it blown up to poster size and framed, so that her Dad once again could see his old friend anytime he wanted to.

When Amelia returned back to Glenview with gifts in hand, she first went into her mother’s room to show her what she had gotten for her Dad. When she had shared with her mother, there was a knock on Helen’s door.   It was her physical therapist and her doctor.

“Mrs. Tyler, we have great news!” The doctor said with a huge smile on his face.

“We feel that your therapy has been a huge success and that you’re ready to go home in a few weeks. We can continue to give you physical therapy in your home!”

“What about Henry?” Helen asked immediately.

“Well now, Mrs. Tyler, Mr. Tyler’s condition is something different altogether than yours. As we both know, his is not a physical problem as much as it is ….. Well, you know Mam what I’m trying to say.”

“Yes, I know what you’re trying to say.” Helen repeated, with absolutely no joy over the fact that she was on her way out of Glenview.

When her visitors left, she and Amelia looked at each other with much concern.

“Well, out with it Momma! I already know what you’re thinking. I think so too!”

“Henry will not stay in this place without me! If he has too, he’ll dry up and die, and I will not allow that to happen!” Helen said with heartbreak in her voice.

“I won’t either Momma, we’ll work it out somehow, don’t worry.” Amelia consoled, but she too was very concerned and did not really have a viable solution.

“Don’t worry Momma.   We’ll come up with something. Who knows, maybe this will be what Daddy needs. He followed you in here; maybe he’ll come to himself and follow you right back out! Momma, it’s great that you’re doing so well, we need to rejoice about you.”

“I suppose so.” Helen agreed, but still she was not going to leave Henry in Glenview by himself.

“Come on Dear; let’s go give your father his gifts. I know that he will be excited about them.”

“When do we let him know about you Momma? He needs to know that you’re doing well doesn’t he?”

“He already knows that I’m much better.   Now we have to work on him.”

“Just tell me what and when Momma and I’ll do whatever you say. Nobody knows Daddy like you do. Mom, he was so much better this morning when I talked with him. He was like his old self. This is why I bought him all of this stuff. Do you know he’s writing down what he remembers so that he won’t forget it again?”

“You’ve done good Amelia, let’s go see him!”

When Helen and Amelia knocked on Henry’s door they could hear Henry talking with someone. However, once entering the room, neither of them saw anybody.

“Who was you talking too Henry?” Helen questioned.

“Oh I was just chatting with an old friend.” Henry replied, once again with that mischievous grin upon his face.

Thank you once again for spending this time with me. When I first began the Youtube Video Blogs of If Oak Trees Could Talk I was only recording about a minute or two. However, it seemed as though I wasn’t really making a lot of progress into the story, so I increased them to around five minutes. I wanted to make the video segments short and sweet as I know people are busy!

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Advice I Would Give My Younger Self

30 Jul

Advice I Would Give My Younger Self.

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Advice I Would Give My Younger Self

30 Jul

I have asked a few of my author friends to be my guest over the next few weeks as they are exceptional friends and Inspirational writers!  The authors I have chosen have published books or are in process of publishing their own books.

Please enjoy my Guest Authors as they candidly and openly share a glimpse into their lives.  It is my hope that you will be inspired to visit their sites and check out their work!

The theme of the guest blogs  : “Advice I Would Give My Younger Self!”

I would like to introduce you to my first Guest Author and Friend  Patti J. Smith!

When Christine asked me to write a guest post on the topic, “Advice I Would Give My Younger Self,” I didn’t hesitate, thinking it would be a breeze. Either it was lack of sleep or too few cups of coffee (both, I think) because it took a while before realizing the enormity of the assignment. You see, my younger self was a mess. I should have had Self Will Run Riot tattooed on my forehead rather than the butterfly on my derriere. (Tattoos on women are commonplace now but not in the small-town 70’s.)

Recalling my past antics (and cringing), the advice I would tender would be to listen to your parents, remain close to God, pay attention to the little voice in your head and last but not least … love and respect yourself. Had I done those things I would have avoided decades of pain due to alcoholism and the subsequent consequences … promiscuity, unplanned pregnancies which led to abortion, estrangement from family and multitudes of failed relationships, all leading to a suicide attempt and institutionalization.

Pretty gloomy, huh? Well, don’t pull out the Kleenex … Through the grace and mercy of God, love and support of my family and some very good programs, I was able to climb out of the well of darkness into the light. I followed the advice I would have given my younger self and am nearing eighteen years of sobriety, in a wonderful marriage, active in my church community and became a caregiver to my parents. (Who would have ever imagined they would trust me with their care, let alone move in with me!).

I would be remiss if I didn’t add one more pieces of advice: Forgive yourself. If you can’t, you’ll never quite reach the top of that dark well. You’ll always live in the shadow of remorse and regret and miss out on the joyous and wonderful life God wants you to have.

BIO

Patti J. Smith writes Christian devotionals, light romance, and suspense and her faith crosses over to all genres. She is a member of the Association of Christian Therapists, Association for Life, serves as Regional Coordinator for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and leads Rachel’s Hope After-Abortion Healing Retreats in San Diego. She publicly shares her story of redemption at a variety of venues, has been a guest on Sacred Heart and Blogtalk Radio and appears in the newly-released documentary, “The Sidewalk Chronicles”.

 

She and her husband, Michael, live in Vista, CA and have three beautiful granddaughters. Along with writing books, she enjoys blogging, reading and proudly admits to being a diehard Seattle Seahawks fan and Fantasy Football fanatic. Her travel adventures include Spain, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Fiji, South Korea and almost all states – including Hawaii and Alaska.

 

You can find her books at: www.amazon.com/author/pattijsmith and follow her through the following social media:

Blog:  http://gridirongrannyfootballfanatic.blogspot.com/ Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/gridirongranny Twitter:  https://twitter.com/gridirongranny5 Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/gridirongranny Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/giridirongranny

 

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Mama’s DIY Maple Peach Cobbler

23 Jul

Mama’s DIY Maple Peach Cobbler.

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Mama’s DIY Maple Peach Cobbler

23 Jul

Mama’s DIY Maple Peach Cobbler

Last week I shared a recipe for Mama’s DIY Maple Cookies! So I wanted to expand upon that recipe a bit!

I love summer for the wonderful variety of fresh berries and other fruits. I live in the great state of Georgia, which of course has some of the most wonderful mouthwatering peaches! So……

Today I am featuring a peach cobbler which is one of my family’s favorites! This recipe can be as sweet as you would like, however the peaches that I use are usually really sweet, so I do not add any white sugar, instead I use maple syrup or stevia leaf sweeteners, or local honey.

Peach Cobbler

 

With the ingredients below, I can make cookies that are gluten free and “sweetened” with 100% real maple syrup which I have found when used in moderation actually has some pretty amazing health benefits! However, by tweaking the recipe just a tad, I can use the cookie dough as a wonderful crust for my fruit cobblers!

Mama's Ingredients

When maple syrup is used in appropriate amounts it has nutrition benefits such as important antioxidants and minerals like zinc and manganese. Its benefits can also include the ability to lower inflammation and better manage blood sugar.

Mama’s DIY Maple Peach Cobbler

Ingredients :

3 cups fresh peaches peeled and cut into quarters.

½ cup water

2 cups gluten free all-purpose baking flour

1 tsp Rumford baking powder

1 tbsp. Cinnamon

2 tsp vanilla extract

¼ cup coconut oil ( Traditionally this is butter! )

¼ cup real maple syrup

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Sift together All purpose flour and baking soda.

Melt Coconut oil and add to the dry ingredients along with the vanilla extract and the real maple syrup. Mix well, dough will be pretty thick.

Drop dough on a well-floured surface. Either by using a rolling pin, or even your hands, roll out dough to fit a 13 x 9” cake pan.

Place peaches in bottom of pan. Pour the water over the top of peaches and sprinkle 1/2 of the cinnamon onto the peaches. Place the crust over the top of the peaches. Take a fork and score the crust randomly through the cobbler. Sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon over the top of crust.  Place in oven and bake until crust has browned and the peaches bubble through the holes or around the sides. Usually around 45 to 45 minutes depending on how fast your oven bakes.

 

Variations: This cookie crust is much like a basic sugar cookie, you can add a variety of different fruits to make many different cobblers.

One of my favorite variations: Instead of making a whole pan cobbler make individual servings by placing ½ of a peach in a cup cake pan with the cupcake papers. Use about 2 tbsps of water to cover peach and follow through with cinnamon.   Crumble the cookie crust mixture on top of the fruit instead of rolling it if you prefer. When the cobbler is bubbling and the topping is brown Viola you have individual cobblers!

I hope that you will enjoy this recipe and that you concoct some of your favorite kinds of cookies or cobblers by simply throwing in what you like or what your family likes! I would love to hear from you! Until next time have fun concocting!

 

source: http://draxe.com/maple-syrup-nutrition/

 

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Part 10 If Oak Trees Could Talk!

23 Jul

Part 10 If Oak Trees Could Talk!

“Inspiring one Dreamer at a time!”

Welcome back to my Video Blog If Oak Trees Could Talk.  I am so pleased that you chose to join me this week! 

As always, I want you to feel at home, so I hope you have gotten you a tall cold glass of sweet tea or your favorite drink and have gotten yourself all comfy as we continue reading today in Chapter 5 Gleaning Wisdom!

 

Chapter 5

Gleaning Wisdom

As Amelia and her parents sat outside on the warm terrace, Amelia became silent herself. She again thought of how her parents loved one another. She also thought of how much she loved her own husband, but wondered if what she had with Robert could possibly compare to the kind of love and passion that her parents shared over the years. One thing she did know for sure was that her life wasn’t full of adventure the way that her parent’s lives were. As Amelia continued to think upon her life and compare it to her parent’s she suddenly realized that she must glean from them. As the sun continued to shine on their whitening heads, Amelia felt urgency in her heart that she had to learn how they kept the passion and adventure in their marriage? She needed to know now! Just as she turned to ask her Mom a question, a nurse interrupted her.

“Ms. Amelia, it’s time for your Mother’s therapy now.”

Amelia disappointed, turned to her mother and kissed her.

“I’ll talk with you later okay Momma?”

“Yes dear, we’ll talk later. You had better take your father inside, the sun is becoming very warm and your Daddy’s fair skin will burn.” Helen suggested as she always had her husband’s wellbeing on her mind.

Amelia took her mother’s suggestion and before she barely had gotten Henry back inside, he made a suggestion of his own.

“Let’s go see your mother!” Henry said with a devilish grin.

“We will, Daddy, she should be out of physical therapy pretty soon!”

Amelia pushed her Daddy down the hallway and made several loops down and back as she stalled for time until she thought her mother would be back into her room.

“You know she spent the night with me, don’t you?” Henry said with a smile that told more than Amelia wanted to know.

“Daddy, you and Momma are going to get in trouble!”

“Ah, What can they do to us, kick us out? We only wish to be in such trouble as to receive that kind of punishment.” Henry stated with a defiant little chuckle.

“Daddy, I know you and Momma want to be home. It will happen, Daddy. It really will. I promise you Dad, I’m working on trying to get both of you back home.”

“I know dear, this has been as rough on you as it has been on us!”

“I’m fine Daddy, I’m just happy for our conversation today! I truly believe that you and Momma will be home again soon!”

With those words said, Amelia knocked on her mother’s door. She pushed her Dad inside and the room seemingly lit up as Helen smiled widely and so did Henry.

“You two act like teenagers!” Amelia said with a giggle.

“Nope, not really, your mother didn’t care that much for me when we were teenagers!”

“Now Henry, that’s not true! I just wanted to make for sure of my feelings before I agreed to go steady. My goodness, you kept me scared to death as all you talked about since we were kids was marriage!”

“I had to wear her down, Amelia!” Henry said with a giggle.

“Well, I’m glad she gave in!” Amelia replied as she shook her head and giggled as well.

“Tell me, how do I keep passion in my marriage the way that you two have?” Amelia asked.

“Why honey, that’s easy, we’ve always just put each other first. In doing that, we’ve never wanted for anything outside of what we have together!”

“Surely Mom, it’s not that simple!”

“Yes dear, it’s that simple.  It’s not always easy, but it’s that simple.”

“See your Daddy, wouldn’t even let me be sick first that he didn’t follow me right into this place!”  Helen stated with a chuckle of her own.

A knock on the door interrupted the laughter and the best conversation that the Tyler family had had in a long while.

“Hello Tyler family, I’m sorry to interrupt the party, but Mrs. Tyler has more therapy and Mr. Tyler is due for his meds!”  Nurse Wanda stated as she looked at Amelia.

“Okay, Momma, I love you, I will see you later.  I’m going to keep things simple,” Amelia said as she blew a kiss to her mother.

“Come on Daddy! Let me get you back to your room for your medicines.  I hope that you will have a whole book of memories written down for me the next time I see you.”

Thank you so much for “tuning in” or reading along with me today to If Oak Trees Could Talk! It is my pleasure to spend this time with you each week. Again I would love to hear from you. All of my videos are archived both on my Youtube channel if you would like to Subscribe, or on my Blogs! Feel free to comment on either site. Thanks again, “Tune in” next week!

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Book Nook on Lakeview Times!

21 Jul

Book Nook on Lakeview Times!.

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