A WEEK WITH SUSAN PAGE DAVIS

I thought this week would be a good time to spend it with Susan Page Davis. Susan lives close to me and I have gotten to know her quite well. She's an amazing person and a wonderful writer.

Susan's latest book to be released is The Ladies Maid. I think you will enjoy the book and one will be given away on Monday noon. Please reply with a comment. I think you will enjoy learning more about her and her writing. Below will be a description of this book.

Travel along with Elise Finster and her British mistress, Lady Anne Stone, as they search for the new but missing earl of Stoneford. Determined to follow David Stone’s somewhat cold trail leading to Oregon, greenhorns Elise and Anne secure livestock and supplies to join a wagon train. Will the ladies succeed in their quest or succumb to the malfeasance of the mysterious man dogging their heels? Scout Eb Bentley’s initial disgust with these ill-prepared women eventually turns into admiration for one lady in particular. Can he protect her long enough to win her over, or will prairie dreams turn into a Wild West nightmare?

BELATED HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012 started for us with good news. Sandi Rog has been declared in remission! That is the best news to begin the new year. She said there was no cancer in her bones or her blood. She will return to Arizona for one more treatment. She's still weak, but is getting stronger.

Our other good news was our son-in-law's heart surgery went well. They were able to do exactly what they wanted to do. He feels so much better. In February he will be weaned off his heart medicines. The Lord has been so gracious to us. I can't thank Him enough.

This year, my hubby and I decided to start going to the gym. There is a program for senior citizens, and we decided to try it. Yesterday was our first day and we both felt so much better after we returned home. We are both overweight, and we thought this might help us some. Anytime you move is good.

I'm anxious to get back to writing. I did a little yesterday, very little, but it was a start. I'm sorta stuck, but I had a good idea on how to go last night. I will begin my writing in a few minutes. I feel so good when I write. I want to continue, even if I never sell a book. It is good therapy for me.

My plans are to also start a store on Etsy. My daughter has one, and she's encouraged me to start making my purse organizers and some other things to sell on there. I love my purse organizer. It can be made in different sizes and has pockets on the inside for things that normally get lost in the black hole of your purse. It's also a light color so you can see what you have. I hope to get it started this month. You will hear more later.

Hope everyone has a wonderful 2012, and I hope only good things come your way.

The New Year

We are about to close out 2011 and begin 2012. How has 2011 been for you? It's been an all right year for me. My family has had a lot of things go on, but right now we are all doing well. The biggest thing is the grands are growing up too fast.

I don't go in for New Year's resolutions. I've tried them for years and never completed any of them. My plans are to finish the book I am working on, and try to get an agent for it. That's been my plans for a long time. I did finish my first novel and almost finished the second when I decided to go a different route. I'm enjoying this book more, and it's easier to write.

Looking back on last years, I've seen a lot of prayers answered. Sandi Rog is doing better. She seems to feel better, and that is a blessing. I know she enjoyed this Christmas better than last year. My prayer is for her to continue to improve this year and beat cancer.

I've had two surgeries and have come through both of them well. My knees are so strong now. I feel like I could walk for miles. My hernia surgery is doing better. I've had some congestion in my head and chest. Coughing does not feel good, but it is better right now.

My son-in-law came through his last heart surgery well. He is feeling so much better, and we are so thankful. His voice was stronger after the surgery than it was the last time. I feel he's on the road to improvement. God answered our prayers for his surgery to be a success.

I pray that we all are healthy and strong next year. Positive attitudes are the best. Keep looking for the bright side of everything. May God bless you all.

SUMMER OF PROMISE

Before Christmas, I finished reading Summer of Promise, by Amanda Cabot. Here is what the back cover says:

Though she had planned to spend the summer in Vermont with her sweetheart, Abigail Harding cannot dismiss her concerns over her older sister. Charlotte's letters have been uncharacteristically melancholy, and her claims that nothing is wrong ring false, so Abigail heads West to Wyoming. The endless prairie seems monotonous, but when her stagecoach is attacked, Wyoming promises to be anything but boring. Luckily, the heroics of another passenger, Lieutenant Ethan Bowles, save the day. 

When circumstances--and perhaps a bit of matchmaking--put Abigail and Ethan together, there's certainly attraction. But Abigail is planning to marry another man and return to life in Vermont as soon as she is finished attending to her sister. And Ethan loves his life in the Army and the wilds of Wyoming. When summer ends, will Abigail go back East? Or will she fall in love with this rugged land herself?

Book 1 of the new Westward Winds series, Summer of Promise is a tale of following your heart to unexpected places. Readers will enjoy Amanda Cabot's passionate characters and vibrant setting in the beautiful high prairie.


I won't comment of a book that I have not read. I thank Revell for sending this book to be before it releases. The release date in January 1, 2012. Truly, this is Amanda's best book yet. I look at the story, depth of the characters, and action in a book I read. This had all of this, including a dog, Puddles. There is a mystery that winds through the book, and I was captivated by it. The description of Fort Laramie was wonderful. I'm anxious to see it, but I did see it through Amanda's eyes. 


You will not regret reading this book. Thanks Amanda for letting me read this early. Loved it!

Merry Christmas

This will be my last post until after Christmas. We will have our Christmas tomorrow, Thursday. We all have to make allowances when there are in-laws to be considered.

My presents are all wrapped, except one. I'll wrap it in the morning. The turkey is thawing, and cooking will begin this afternoon. I've already completed some, but I have a lot more to do. The house smells like fruitcake and all kinds of goodies.

This year I'm making Dressing Balls. I have a very good dressing recipe. I've always made it in a pan, but this year I'm rolling it in balls and baking them. They are so crispy done that way. I think my family will enjoy them.

I get almost as excited as a small child. I love to sit back and watch the expressions on the faces of the children. It takes me back to my Christmas.

We always had a cedar tree when I was growing up. They were so hard to decorate, and I always had cedar stuck in my hands. It smelled so good. That's what I associate with Christmas.

I love being with my family. As the children get older, we don't get a chance to get together very much. There's always band, soccer, flag core, or something to keep us from all getting together. We do get busier as our children get older. I remember the days, and it's coming back to haunt me. Christmas is different, we always get together for Christmas.

My wish for all of you is a Very Merry Christmas. I'll be back on Monday, I hope, so enjoy the Holiday and don't eat too much.

Friday and Christmas Programs

Friday, my hubby and I attended two Christmas Programs at the elementary school my son's children attend. This is our third year to attend and each year seems to get better. I was so amazed the first year we attended at the talent the music teacher had. The children seemed to love her, and her music ability was so good.

The second year, last year, was even better. Her programs would rival a college production. Of course, to see the three grandchildren perform made it even better. The children paid attention to her and seemed to enjoy what they were doing.

This year, it was even better. The upper grades, three through five, played musical instruments. Our fourth grade granddaughter really got into the music. Each note she hit on the xylophone, she bounced. They did a dance while the teachers corrected a problem with the sound system. It was so good, and the children enjoyed it. I watched our oldest grandson as he and a boy partner did some amazing tricks.

This was all at 9:00 a.m.. We returned at 1:30 to a filled gym. This was grades k through 2, and every parent, grandparent, aunt, and uncle was there. People were standing in the back of the gym. This was also an outstanding performance.

The children sang in this program. Our youngest got into his song, and it was fun to watch him smile and sing. It was a great program. I have no idea how the music teacher comes up with so many different ideas each year. They are always new and fresh.

This is a small elementary school in the county we live in. I think it must be one of the best around. As we came home after the last program, we talked about how the children loved the principal. When I was in school, we were scared to death of our principal. He did not interact with us at all. That was the second principal we had in that school. The first one was wonderful. He loved children and would come to our rooms and tell us stories. I'll never forget that. I'm glad the teachers and principals are changing. It makes learning more fun.

A BEAUTIFUL AREA

We live in a beautiful part of the country. In fact, every part of the country is beautiful, not just Western Kentucky. We do have a good diversity that I have not been accustomed to in the past. The mountains of Tennessee are beautiful, and I enjoyed watching them change, but I'm enjoying learning more about Kentucky.

The eagles are returning. My husband and a friend go out eagle watching several times a week. These birds are magnificent. I had never seen any until last year, and I couldn't wait for them to return this year. We watch their nests and have seen little heads pop up. Mother Eagle is really careful with her babies, and we don't get very close.

Last year we watched them soar over the interstate. What a sight! I wonder if people on the highway knew what they were seeing. They didn't seem to notice them at all, but I enjoyed them.

My husband got me involved with eagle watching to get me out of the house after my last knee surgery. At first I didn't feel like going, but I pushed myself, and I am so glad I did. They are so beautiful when they soared. Now, I'm read to go back.

I wanted to show you this picture of a eagle with a white spot. Our friend took this Monday when they went eagle watching. I hope you enjoy it.