Coming Attractions by Robin Gunn

Coming Attractions is the third book in the Katie Weldon Series. This book is set during Katie's Senior year of College. Conflicts abound with her current boyfriend, new and old relationships, estranged family and of course the senior exams.


This young adult book will appeal to teenagers too, with important spiritual messages, though not preachy. Robin writes wonderful characters that draw you into the story immediately. I did not read the first two in the series and yet Robin gradually brought me up in time with an easy manner.





Read to find out what Katie refers to as a "victim of grace" and "wavy" or "straight lines" in life. Coming Attractions makes me curious to read what's next in her life.




Robin Jones Gunn is the much-loved author of Peculiar Treasures, On a Whim, and the Christy Miller, Sierra Jensen, College Years, Glenbrooke, and Sisterchicks® series, with over 4 million books sold worldwide. Robin loves to travel and often speaks locally and internationally. She and her husband live near Portland, Oregon, where the view outside her window is green all year round.To find out more about Robin Gunn check out her site.





I received this book as part of a book blog tour.
To read more reviews of this book from other bloggers, click here. Info about the book is also on Amazon.





Happy Reading

Waaait for It.....

My husband and I follow the pastor's sermon outline, filling in the open blanks. My husband likes to nudge me to show his filled in words before the pastor gets to them. Even though I may be able to figure them out, I prefer to wait, absorbing the moment until it comes.


I'm the same way with gifts. I love to wait until the right time, building the excitment of the unknown. My husband, yes, you guessed it, he wants to know what everything is beforehand.


"Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD." Psalms 27:14


There are some things in life only the Lord can provide. The farmers when they have done all they can do, whether or not they believe in God, must wait and rely on "nature." God drops the rain, shines the sun, and grants the increase.


There are times in life that I hate being in "the waiting room." Such as waiting to see my grandkids again, waiting to know about new jobs, waiting to see if my dad's eye surgery is successful...things which only God can change and control. It's hard to be strong and courageous, but that's when my eyes are on me and not on God.


The daily work to fight off impatience and wait, you'd think would be easier because of my temperament, but it's not. As a writer I strive to channel emotions and thoughts with the "exquisitness (is that a word?) of the battle between apprehension and peace."


What things do you like to wait for, or don't mind waiting for?
What things drive you crazy to have to wait for, and how do you cope?


(Notice I didn't use the dreaded "P" word.)


Okay, already, hurry up and answer!


Photo-karenrevans

And the Winner Is!

Thank you all who participated in this breath-taking contest.

Without further ado, the WINNER is:

Jeanette who actually gave me a recipe, amounts, ingredients and ALL!! Please pick up this elaborate award here. But you might want to put it down at the bottom of your blog...teeheee....

Honorable Mentions go to:

Stephanie for suggesting the all time fav spagetti and meatballs

Diane for an idea I haven't used in a while, potatoe pancakes that I can toss anything into them

And, Just Mentions go to:

Johnnie who said open a can of soup, ha, very creative my dear friend :)

Kathy who said "yuk" to the frog recipe

Jeanie who tried to think of somethin' but never did, I guess...snicker...

Wendy who wanted me to rip the froggy recipe out and frame it. I love it!

Oh, can you tell I finally figured out how to link??? So I'm giving out this most prestigous award and playing at the same time. But check out their sites-cool, huh!

Good eatin' to all

Mid-Week Two Fer

Well, I looked through some of my cookbooks for other recipes and look what I found. (Granted it was published in 1970 in the Bayou Cuisine, It's Tradition and Transition.) But hey, I could make this with probably less than a dollar a person.

Steamed Frog Legs

24 frog legs
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped shallots
1/4 cup chopped parsley
salt and pepper
dry white wine


Flour frog legs and saute in butter delicately brown on either side. Season. Sprinkle with parsley and brown thoroughly. In separate skillet, saute the mushrooms and shallots and sprinkle with wine. When vegetables are tender add legs, cover and let them steam for a few minutes: serve immediately.


Okay, two problems: I could never catch, much less find that many frogs. Second, I'm not sure I'd like the dish. I've eaten fried frog legs, much like chicken-but steamed? Oh, one more, how do you humanely kill a frog? Never mind I won't try this one!

"The heart of her husband trusts in her...." Proverbs 31:11


I know my hubbie would not be pleased with that one either. So I know there are more ideas out there. I'd love it if you would send them on over.


No longer living on the bayou

Photo-Vector Clip Art

Two Fer

Photo-Suat Eman

Noticed how the price of bread has increased since last year? The grocery bill is crazy! Do you feel the same way?



Our financial crunch demands more planning with the grocery bill. As a good steward of money, I want to fix meals that will only cost $2 per person. I have a few ideas, but I need your help. Now don't send me PBJ sandwiches or breakfast foods, or dollar value meals at burger joints-I've got those covered.



"She is like merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. She rises also while it is still night, and gives food to her household, and portions to her maidens." Proverbs 31:14-15



Okay, there are things in these verses that I don't do. But I can stretch the idea a bit, like when I go to Sam's, which is about 20 minutes away-that's far, right? And I come home laden like a merchant ship. Ummm, the rising while still night-I do that to get ready for work, if the sun's not up yet. Maidens-well that can be kids. But the idea is this perfect woman works hard to provide food for her household, is a good steward of her money and extends kindness to those who are her employees. I want to please the Lord with my money.



Here's the challenge. What can I buy/fix for two dollars a person? The best suggestion will recieve a special award to hang on your blog. Sorry no monetary reward-I'm watching my money, remember? :)



I've got my recipe file ready.

Okay, Last Wonder Worship I Promise!

Look closely and you can see a faint rainbow in this purply-pink sky. The rain just ended and dusk was setting in. (Please ignore the electric pole-that just kind'a ruins it. But the rainbow popped up behind the pole.) The more I intently look at God's world, the more I see.


"To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness by night." Psalms 92:2


I repeat that verse many times during the day. These are hard times for our family, like many others and I must remember that no matter what, the Lord is faithful to His children. Steadfast in all the promises concerning us and faithful to complete the work He began in us.


His lovingkindness is grace. Grace that gives us more than we deserve. Kindness to call us family and keep an inheritance waiting for us. Love than made the ultimate sacrifice ordained before the world began.

His lovingkindness to wake in a world of beauty. Faithfulness in the night so that we can sleep and rest in his watchcare. What have I to complain?


Oh, and I have to give you a couple more pictures of Wonder to me.

Hey, they are my darling grandchildren and this was a wonderful excuse to show them in the wonder of God's creation.

Blessings

Mid-Week Wonder Worship

Has anyone seen anything worthy of a moment of "wonder worship?"


The rainy season is upon Florida. Luckily the showers are short. But it means my dog, Major who is white, comes in from outside full of wet sand, yes sand. We are so close to the beach we have no soil. Plus his long white hair likes to grab leaves, stickers or anything else it can get it's tentacles on.


So--rain is not always fun. But I am trying to remember my challenge to you in the last post. After the rain, here's my pic of a wonder moment.





















"How great are Thy works, O Lord! Thy thoughts are very deep." Psalms 92:5


I stopped and watched this crepe myrtle branch for a few minutes. Those drops of water stayed on the buds. Now I know there are scientific reasons why, like gravity, weight, and so on. But hey, God made all those laws too (deep thoughts). You may not be able to see it in the picture, but each droplet carries color from it's surroundings.


Oh may we carry our Creator's colors.


Let me know if you have a special "wonder worship" moment.


Blessings


photo-karenrevans

Wonder Worship

What do you think of when you hear worship? Me, I first think of a church or sanctuary time. I forget about other ways and times to worship. The Lord reminded me to slow down and look.



The other day Major, my dog, and I were playing in the backyard and he kept going back to sniff at something on the edge of the ferns. Curiosity won over my laziness and I went to look. This is what my dog found. I had already been outside a while, walked by it several times and still didn't notice anything.



To see this beautiful creation, I had to make a conscious effort to stop and kneel down and look. Major already knew this moth hung there. So did God. Those few moments became what I call a moment of "wonder worship"-- admired this creature and it's colors, and thanked God. (Now don't get me wrong, I am NOT fond of bugs, but butterflies, moths and dragon flies are okay.)



"For Thou, O Lord, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands." Psalms 92:4



May I challenge each of you this week to stop and look around and maybe in the most common place to find a detail that brings you a moment of "wonder worship."


Please drop me a comment and let me know what you found. If you take a picture and it's posted on your blog, with your permission I would like to post them on my blog in two weeks so that we all may rejoice and share in our Father's handiwork. "Let the search begin!"


Waiting and Wandering and Wonder-ing.

photo by karen evans