Category Archives: Award

Weekend Stuff: Good Advice, a Sale, an Award, and Book Updates

06 Friday Feb 2015

Posted by in Award, Books, Crooked Lines, Inspiration, Jake Byrne, tsunami 2004

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Also, Crooked Lines is on sale through the weekend for only .99 Cents. (Voted as Pulpwood Queen’s February Bonus Book of the Month!)  

Crooked Lines Pulpwood

Fifty-five, Five Star Reviews. Here’s one from Donna: Wow!!! This book is a must read. Rebecca lives in America on the shores of Lake Michigan and blames herself for her younger sisters death. She searches for meaning and truth in her life. She yearns to go to India. Sagai lives across the world from her in South India and leaves his poor family to become a priest. He tries through every test to draw closer to God. Rebecca feels that God let her down from the time of her sisters death and many other times in her life. Her choices are made based on her failing her sister. She visits a church because she can find no way out of it. They have a priest,who serves in India,who is friends with Sagai as a guest speaker. She tells him about wanting to go to India. Rebecca and Sagai become pen pals with this priest and pray for each other for many years. It’s amazing to see God working through their lives, and some of the similarities in their struggles. When we look back at our lives as we try to follow the path that God has for us or we take a different path we will see the straight path that leads to God was there all along. The crooked lines are where we took detours and God led us back. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Honestly this book was so engaging I couldn’t put it down and I felt like God was speaking to me through it. This author has allowed God to use her as she shares spiritual truths through her writing.

Beautiful beach and seaAnd Tsunami 2004 Still Wading Through Waves of Hope (nonfiction) is available FREE on Kindle Unlimited and $2.99 on Kindle, $6.99 Print Version (Amazing stories from survivors then and now and how we survived a near death experience on our return to Nagapattinam, ten years later.).

Here’s a review from Larry: K. P. Yohannan of Gospel For Asia asked on one of his videos, “What did you do when you heard about the thousands of people swept away by the tsunami?” To be honest, most of us just watched the tragedy on TV, shrugged our shoulders, and did little else, but that is not so for the author and her husband.

“Tsunami 2004: Still Wading through Waves of Hope” records what Bishop Leo Michael and his wife Holly did upon hearing the tsunami news. They raised thousands of dollars and traveled to India with a friend to see for themselves where their funds could best be used. The areas they chose to visit were the three hardest hit areas in India.

Holly Michael’s crisp writing style reveals the heart-breaking calamity they witnessed, the hardships they faced, and her own personal fears about being on the ground in the midst of total devastation. Her willingness to reveal her own heart throughout the book helps us see through her eyes.

In 2014, Holly and her husband returned to the same regions of India to check out what happened to the people they helped. Some of the testimonies told of great victories, but a few revealed the despair victims felt a decade later. And then there was Bishop Leo’s life-threatening bout with dengue fever.

This is a five-star book and I believe everyone should read it.

*****

If you’ve read either of my books, I’d love a review!! CLICK HERE TO REVIEW CROOKED LINES. CLICK HERE TO REVIEW TSUNAMI 2004 – STILL WADING THROUGH WAVES OF HOPE

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If I don’t blog much in the next month, it’s because I’m busy finishing the sequel to Crooked Lines.

Several new releases in 2015! Yippee! And one to be published by Harvest House that this cutie (son, Jake Byrne) and I wrote together. Will be released in early August! Exciting stuff! I’ll update as we come closer to the date.IMG_1002

An Award! Yay!

15 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by in Award

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Good to start out the week with an award. Thank you Elizabeth Rose for nominating my blog for the Reality Blog Award. Please visit her site elizabethrosemysteries.com. I came to know her and her blog because she’s the author of a book that has a setting in my hometown, Murder in Death’s Door County.

Those who are lucky enough to receive this award are asked to post the picture of the award on their blog and link back to the person who nominated them.

There are 5 questions that go along with this award so here we go…
1. If you could change one thing, what would you change?

Wow, what a difficult and vague question. About the world? Myself? I’d like every person in the world to at least explore the possibility that Jesus Christ could be the one true God who will bring peace and grace into their life, as well as the gift of salvation and everlasting life.  

2.If you have just one book with you on a deserted island, what would it be? The Bible. What else would I say, given my answer above? 🙂

3.What is one thing that really scares you?

That because of my own devices, I miss doing things in my life that I was meant to do.

4.What is one dream you have not completed, and do you think you will be able to complete it? 

I’d like to see the novels I’ve written get published. Do I think it will happen? Yes. Two of my novels are with my agent and am hoping to hear some good news soon.   

5.If you could meet any TV or movie star who is still alive, who would it be?

Denzel Washington. I think he’s a really good guy.

Now, here are a few blogs that I think are worthy (in no particular order)

1. http://littleprince68.wordpress.com/

2. http://watmattersmost.wordpress.com/

3. http://sheridegrom.com/

4. http://hometogo232.wordpress.com/

5. http://wadewebsterwrites.com/

6. http://apronhead.wordpress.com/

7. http://utesmile.wordpress.com/

 

Winners! Awards Everywhere!

01 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by in Award

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Have you seen this badge around?Winner-180x180Probably because there are so many winners around, including me! We did it! November was National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). And today, on December 1st, I, and many other writers, have entered into December having accomplished the 50,000 word goal of writing the first draft of a novel in thirty days! Yahoo! That’s why my blog has been so silent last month. Pretty excited about novel #3.

Also, after returning to my blog, I discovered an exciting surprise waiting for me. Arnel Gonce over at All Things Boys Blog awarded me a newly created award called The Blog of the Year Award 2012. Arnel is mom to three teenage boys. She needs an award just for that! You’ll love her humorous, inspirational blog. Don’t miss “Floral Fridays,” where she displays more of her lovely photography. Here’s the award:

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As you can see there is one gold star with the possibility of six in total.

The ‘rules’ for this award are simple:

1 Select the blog(s) you think deserve the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award

2 Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen — there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required — and ‘present’ them with their award.

3 Please include a link back to this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award — http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/our-awards/blog-of-the-year-2012-award/ and include these ‘rules’ in your post (please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)

4 Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them

5 You can now also join our Facebook group — click ‘like’ on this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award Facebook group and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience

6 As a winner of the award — please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award — and then proudly display the award on your blog and sidebar … and start collecting stars…

Yes — that’s right — there are stars to collect!

Unlike other awards which you can only add to your blog once — this award is different!

When you begin you will receive the ‘1 star’ award — and every time you are given the award by another blog — you can add another star!

There are a total of 6 stars to collect.

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Which means that you can check out your favorite blogs — and even if they have already been given the award by someone else — you can still bestow it on them again and help them to reach the maximum 6 stars!

Blogs to Award:

http://ladaray.wordpress.com/

http://stevenwwatkins.com/

http://m5son.wordpress.com/

http://misifusa.wordpress.com/

http://poetrypatio.wordpress.com/

http://www.mywyomingadventure.com/

http://theencouragingscribe.wordpress.com/

http://beckydoughty.com/

http://glendamills.com/

http://averageus.com/

http://the-view-outside.com/

http://melodylowes.com/

http://biltrix.com/

http://hometogo232.wordpress.com/

http://8kidsandabusiness.wordpress.com/

http://failedadventures.wordpress.com/

http://barbaraforteabate.wordpress.com/

Congratulations bloggers! I love all of these great blogs and I’m sure you will, too. Each one is lovely and unique, and a blogger whom I’ve come to appreciate for their kindness and great blog-ability!

 

 

Award Party!

25 Tuesday Sep 2012

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Got some great new awards. Yay! Thanks friends!

First Award:

Author Lada Ray has the coolest site with fantastic photos. She has given me the Reader’s Appreciation Award:

The rules for this award are: Post seven interesting things about yourself, Nominate 5 people who in turn will post on their page the award with the link to the giver, Let them know about the nomination. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog. 

Instead of seven things about myself, here’s seven of my favorite savings, which should tell something about me.

1. Leap and the net will appear. John Burroughs.

2. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

3. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. From the Desiderata. I’ve always loved this entire poem.

4.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13

5. Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 (In any anxious moment, this one always speaks to me.)

6.  I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. – Thomas Edison

7.  There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle. – Albert Einstein

And I nominate these wonderful bloggers. Check out their blogs.

1. Glenda Mills is truly one of my favorite bloggers. She has the most inspirational, beautiful blog. Check it out and it will be your fav, too. http://glendamills.com/

2. Rosalie Skinner, fantasy author, also has a great site

3. And the coolest kid in town has the coolest blog around. Check out funny guy, Rick Bylina’s blog.

4.  Find some inspiration over at Gracie Hills blog.

5. And some more over at Ada Brownell’s Blog

Thanks Lada Ray, for this award. Check out her fascinating blog with uplifting and educating content as well as fabulous photos.

The next award, The Thought Provoking Award…

…was given by Gracie over at Gracie’s Quest. Her blog is truly thought provoking and inspirational. It is an honor to receive this nomination. Thank you Gracie. Here’s the link to her blog.

Liza, at My Life’s A Picture Show gave me the same award. Thanks Liza! Check out her blog

Here are the award rules (slightly paraphrased):1. Post the award on your blog. 2. Thank the one who nominated you and link back to their blog. 3. Nominate 7-12 other bloggers you admire and enjoy! 4. Share 7 things about yourself. 5. Inform each person that you have nominated them.

Ok, I’m going to do something different for this award. I’ll nominate photography blogs that are thought provoking and inspirational. Then, I’m going to share seven of my own photographs that I hope are thought provoking and awe-inspiring.

1. http://apixelatedlife.org/ Steven White has an outstanding blog featuring his photos and his inspirational thoughts. He’s a new blogger, so please support him

2.   http://clickerbug.wordpress.com/

3. http://www.photobotos.com/

4. http://m5son.wordpress.com/

5. http://www.mywyomingadventure.com/

6. http://jaysinsight.wordpress.com/

7. http://www.seemytravels.com/

8. http://lizziejoysphotosuite.com/

9 http://apronhead.wordpress.com/

10. http://burgersbite.wordpress.com/

11. http://naomibaltuck.wordpress.com/

Here’s the seven photos I promised. Just amateur stuff, from cool places I’ve visited:

1. Our Lady of Walsingham, Walsingham, England

2. Isle of Iona, Scotland

3. Rosemead, California. Now tell me that this photo below isn’t thought provoking. It’s the picture of a water stain. Pots watered by a priest friend of ours who is the director of a novitiate where we stayed. I took this photo and can testify that it is purely a water stain and not painted. What do you see?

4. Estes Park, Colorado

5. Goa, India

6. Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming

7. Somewhere in Kansas

And Gracie also nominated me for the Super Sweet Blogger Award. Thanks Gracie. Arnel at http://allthingsboys.wordpress.com/ also nominated me for this same award. Check out both of these super sweet blogs.

Rules for this award include: Thank the super sweet blogger who made the nomination, Nominate a baker’s dozen of other bloggers (below…), and answer five questions:

  1. Cookie or cake?  Cookie – snickerdoodle
  2. Chocolate or Vanilla? Both
  3. What is your favourite sweet treat? Crème Brule
  4. When do you crave sweet things the most? Equally all the time, except when I’m sleeping.
  5. If you had a sweet nickname, what would it be?  Um…Sweetie-Pie.

And for the sweetness award, I nominate this baker’s dozen of super-sweet blogs:

http://timmiller.org/

http://verticaltales.wordpress.com/

http://demonesprit.wordpress.com/

http://tmgaouette.com/

http://misifusa.wordpress.com/

http://whisperofangels.wordpress.com/

http://onthehomefrontandbeyond.wordpress.com/

http://marjilaine.com/

http://hometogo232.wordpress.com/

http://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/

http://8kidsandabusiness.wordpress.com/

http://connectingdotstogod.com/

http://stevenwwatkins.com/

http://stevesaw.wordpress.com/

http://1earthnow.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/138/

http://cassmob.wordpress.com/

http://laughoutloudloveourlord.wordpress.com/

And last but not least, Lizzie Joy also nominated me for two awards, Very Inspiring Blogger Award and Thought Provoking Blog Award. Thanks Lizzie Joy. She has a beautiful travel photo blog. I mentioned it above and nominated her back for the Thought Provoking Award because her blog is really fantastic.

Traveling Through Mars and an Award

20 Monday Aug 2012

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Dozing in the passenger seat of the Prius, during a recent return home from one of our frequent trips between Northern Colorado and Kansas City, my husband woke me saying, “Hon, we’re going through Mars now.”

Each time we travel this stretch in the Kansas/Colorado/Nebraska corner (the triangle of strangeness), I stare in awe at the odd land and remark that it looks like Mars.

There’s never a soul in sight and I often imagine coming over one of these barren crater-pocked hills and encountering a row of hand-holding Martians barricading the road.

Don’t these rocks along the roadside look like Mars rocks?

Over one hill, we decided to pull over when we discovered evidence of life on Mars. Now look closely at the photo below. Why would someone erect a fake metal bunny in the grass in the middle of nowhere and put a fake Indian on the hill? (I think that Indian is looking toward Mars, the homeland)

And who but Martians would fence all of this in with wood and barbed wire, including the fake buffalo. Notice the shots through the buffalo. Maybe gun-toting tourists shot at the Martians during an attempted abduction.

I became convinced it was all a Martian trap. I told my husband that we needed to quickly get back in the Prius, lock the doors and step on the gas! Thankfully, we didn’t encounter any Martians as we sped toward civilization in St. Francis, Kansas, the next town. I’m thinking we need to find a different route when we return to Northern Colorado to continue taking care of our church there. This stretch is kind of spooky.

Anyway, once we got through Mars and my phone had bars again, I discovered I’d been granted an award from Yvonne at Misifusa’s blog. She’s a breast cancer survivor, who blogs about life being about the now, not the past, not the future. Thank you so much for the award!

Please visit Yvonne’s inspiring blog at the Presents of Presence.

So, these are the award rules:

1.  Thank the blogger who nominated you.

Thank you to my new blogger friend, Yvonne for the 7 Things About Me Award. She’s got a really awesome and inspiring Facebook page, too.

2.  Share seven things about you.

  1. I’m afraid of being abducted by seven Martians in the Kan/Colo/Nebraska triangle of weirdness.
  2. I’m the seventh child and so is my husband.
  3. I hope to write seven novels in one years time if I can ease up on the travel.
  4. I have been in seven different countries: Canada, India, England, Scotland, United States, Belgium (at the airport), Germany (at the airport).
  5. My favorite number is seven
  6. I’m so glad I got this number 7 award because the number 7 is a God number and I’m pretty sure “it’s” not all about the hokey pokey, but about “God.”
  7. I’m happy when I get at least seven hours of sleep.

Next, 3.  Nominate other bloggers you think deserve the award and post on their blog to let them know they’ve been nominated.

In no particular order, I’d like to nominate these seven bloggers for this awesome award:

1. Janice Heck at Janice Heck’s My Turn because, back in the seventh month of this year she gave me a really great award and I love her blog! Thanks Janice!
2. Wendy Brooks at The End Focus. Because she knows what its all about.
3. Gary Presley has a fantastic blog. He’s an Essayist, book reviewer, and author of Seven Wheelchairs: A Life beyond Polio. Not only is he an great author, he gets the deal about the number seven.
4. August McLaughlin’s blog, Savor the Storm. She’s a Los Angeles-based well-published writer and author
5. Emily’s Day in the Life. I’ve visited her blog post seven times since I recently discovered it.
6. And 400 days to 40 is trying to figure out life by the time she hits forty, lot of numbers on her blog, even some sevens, as well as wisdom.
7….if you really want to find out more about the number seven, check out this blog. This blog post is all about the number seven! It’s fascinating.
Okay, if I’m going to write seven books in a year, I must go write now! Have a blessed day!

Award Time! Yay!

13 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by in Award, Best Web Sites for Writers, India, Inspiration, Jake Byrne, Monday's Connections, Photography, Travel, Writing

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I won a few awards! Just like the olympic athletes! Though I’m a writer, not an athlete, by any means. But if you read my blog, you might know my son is an athlete and a “saint.” (A New Orleans Saint and a saintly child, too). But, this post isn’t about him. It’s about ME and a few other fantastic bloggers. As part of my Monday Connections, time to connect with other bloggers. Come on in and join the fun!

Award Number One: I received a Sunshine Blogger Award….

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…from fellow writer, Maribeth Graham over at Writing Like Crazy

Thank you Maribeth. In accepting this award, I am required to answer a series of questions and then pass the torch (aka Sunshine Blogger Award) to other bloggers who I think deserve the award too, link my nominees to this post and comment on their blog letting them know of their nomination. Below are my answers and the blogs I have nominated.

1. What is your favorite Christmas movie?

The Nativity Story, because without the true “Christmas Story,” we couldn’t celebrate Christmas. The scenes and costumes appeared so authentic. The movie renewed my admiration for The Blessed Virgin Mary, a young girl from Nazareth and Joseph, her spouse. I appreciate his faith in God and his trust in the words of the angel from his dream.

2. What is your favorite flower?

White bell-shaped flowers, Lilly of the Valley, grew around the perimeter of our white farmhouse where I grew up in Northern Wisconsin. I used to pick them for my grandma and for my mom. Sweet memories and their intoxicating fragrance takes me back to my childhood and to Wisconsin in the springtime. Thinking about them, I can almost smell the fresh dew on the morning grass and can relive my delight in those perfectly crafted charming little bells. God is so creative!

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I also like sunflowers. My older brother Mark once planted fields of them on his acreage when I was a teenager. Recently, my husband and I discovered sunflower fields in the northeast corner of Kansas during a trip from Kansas City to Northern Colorado. Here’s a photo I shot:

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3. What is your favorite non-alcoholic beverage? Chocolate milk!

4. What is your passion? Living life fully and giving glory to God while appreciating all of His creation. And if God’s plan is for me to be writing, then it works for me.

5. What is your favorite time of year? Spring. This renewing, fragrant, colorful time of the year fills me with hope.

6. What is your favorite time of day? Nap time!

7. What is your favorite physical activity? Riding bicycle. As soon as I get on a bicycle and pedal, I smile!

8. What is your favorite vacation? So many…hmm…I loved Goa, India.

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It was magical. Walks along the Arabian Sea at night, hearing its mighty roar. We had such a nice time.

Loved the Isle of Iona, Scotland.

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So green and lush and lovely

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A recent get-away to Lily Lake in Estes Park, Colorado was also very refreshing.

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Now, these bloggers have earned gold for their wonderful blogs:

1. Lada Ray is one of my favorite bloggers. Her site, http://ladaray.wordpress.com/ is totally worth the click over there. Lada was born in Russia and is a writer, internationally certified feng shui master practitioner, world traveler, linguist, financial consultant & investor, nature/animal lover and spirituality & metaphysics researcher. She’s really awesome!

2. Judith Evans at http://innerhomestead.wordpress.com/. I loved her post about “thin places” on her blog, Among the Pots and Pans. Her blog features her favorite aspects of everyday life, such as recipes, crafts, and natural health.

3. Cindy Dwyer’s: A Reason To Write is full of humorous terrific writing about the ups and downs of working full-time while raising a family.

Award Number Two: The Beautiful Blogger Award…

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….from Daniela at Lantern Post. Her blog is full of lovely poetry, prose, quotes, reviews of books or movies, and reflections on the weird and wonderful art of living in our time. You’ll love it. Go check it out.

Here’s the rules of this award: Post seven interesting things about myself and nominate other bloggers who I feel deserve the award, and let them know about nomination.

So…about me:

  1. I’m left-handed.
  2. I have a novel with an agent that’s being shopped around to publishers. Please say a little prayer that one grabs it soon because…
  3. I’m impatient.
  4. I’m crazy about a big-hearted guy who sticks a white band in his shirt collar every day and dresses in vestments on Sunday. (My husband! He’s an Anglican Bishop in the Holy Catholic Church – Anglican Rite)
  5. I’m very proud of our kids and their accomplishments (The dynamic and cute diabetic NFL player, the beautiful darling who’s going off to study in London for a semester, and the sweet handsome boy (also an awesome football player) who will graduate before the year is over. They’ve been great kids and I’m one totally blessed mom.
  6. Both my husband and I are the seventh child in our families
  7. Um….I like chocolate

And for the winners. These bloggers also deserve gold:

1. Meri at ourdiabeticlife.com is my hero. She is the mom of four boys, three of which have Type 1 Diabetes. She is courageously and amazingly managing life with her sons’ diabetes and her husband’s cancer diagnosis. She’s a true hero who inspires. Her blog says: Through this blog I hope to share our ongoing story, to help others see that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Like you, I have muddled through all the emotional phases diabetes has to offer a parent. I know of the worry that sits with you like an old friend, because he is my friend too. I just try not to make him the life of the party. Take the ride with me. Visit her site, offer a prayer for her and her family, and come away a better person.

2. Melody Lowes at Melody Muses is full of beautiful prose and pictures. One of my fav sites and sure to be yours, too.

3. Becky Doughty deserves all the awards for her inspiring blog, Braveheart: Tales From the Front Line. She’s awesome and so is her blog!

4. Check out Brother Jon’s blog at http://ldsconvertblog.com/. He’s got great stuff going on over there!

5. Don’t miss Hugh Curtler’s blog

Ok, Next award: Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award.

Doesn’t it look cool?

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Thanks Ashley over at Author Ashley. She’s a teenager who writes about life and writing and everything in between.

First I’ll list the rules, and then I’ll follow through with what I was asked to do…

1) All recipients need to thank the giver 2) Post 7 things about yourself 3) Pass the award on to 7 other bloggers of their choice and let them know that they have been nominated. 4) Include the logo of the award in a post or on your blog

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It is my pleasure to nominate the following blogs:

1. Liza at http://mylifeisapictureshow.wordpress.com/ deserves this award. She’s an amazing writer and blogger who invites us to come along for the ride (if you dare). I took the dare and am so glad I did. She’s a wonderful person and very creative blogger.

2. All Things Boys is an awesome blog. Arnel’s humorous and inspiring blog is loaded with great reads and beautiful photography. She’s someone you want to get to know and check out her other blogs, too. I’m so glad I found Arnel and her blogs! You will be too. I promise!

3. I’ve been bragging about Glenda Mills in other awards I’ve given, so if you haven’t already checked out http://glendamills.com/, you need to. It’s so inspiring and beautiful!

4. Gracie Hill at Gracie’s Quest is full of Biblical, faith-filled messages. Check it out if you want your spirit to be renewed in the Lord

5. PT Bradley honors God with her stories

6. Emma Moore’s Blog deserves every blog award out there, dipped in gold!

7. And another great blog: http://pauletteharper.com/

And last but not least, the Lovely Blog Award…

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…given to me by Julie at The Read Room, a reading, writing, and word-related blog that catalogs the journey of a struggling writer.

The rules of this award are:

  • Give credit to the awesome person who nominated you,
  • Describe seven things about yourself,
  • Nominate 15 other bloggers.

Seven things about myself:

1. When I was fifteen, I purchased a solid little blue notebook and in it, I recorded funny and heartwarming stories about my little sister who had Downs Syndrome. I wrote about her every day and expressed my love for her and what a gift she was to our family. A week later, she unexpectedly died. I still have the notebook and used the basis of this story for my first novel, Crooked Lines.

2. I love coffee, but only with flavored cream in it.

3. On a long car ride recently, I had a Rollo Flurry from McDonalds and enjoyed every last bite with no regrets. It was awesome! And something good came out of that ice cream dream delight. I got inspired to…

4. …begin the “Couch to 5K” app run/walk program. I just finished day two. Gotta get in shape.

5. My current novel, I’ll Be Seeing You, centers around the American Indian people, in particular the Shoshone and Arapaho in Wyoming.

6. When I was in Kindergarten, at a small consolidated school in Northern Wisconsin, Mrs. King, my teacher wouldn’t let me be the princess. She said, “You’re too shy.” I remember being really mad at her because I wanted the part and I knew I wasn’t shy. How dare she judge me like that! Those words labeled me and affected me and I became somewhat shy after that. If I’d had that part, I probably would have been a much more outgoing child. But perhaps everything happens for a reason. Maybe I needed some humbling from the beginning. I grew up to be fairly outgoing after all.

7. I like this Bible Verse: Romans 8:28 King James Version (KJV) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

And last, but not least, Guilie, over at Quiet Laughter, nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger Award. Guilie has a lovely site where she blogs about: Musings and stories on blurred cultural boundaries.

There are rules, four hoops that I must jump through. The first, most important, is to thank my awarders and link to them (check). Then I must answer these ten questions: (if your sick of me, scroll down and check out the cool blogs at the bottom.)

What’s your favorite song? I love most all music and can’t say I have a favorite, but this morning, while walk/jogging, I heard, “I’ll fly away,” done in a southern gospel/jazzy rendition and I totally got into it.

What’s your favorite dessert? Well, that Rollo McFlurry I had the other day was pretty awesome.

What ticks you off? When I’m writing and my computer gets stuck and I lose stuff.

What do you do when you’re upset? Probably Cry, pout, or something like that. But mostly, I don’t have much that upsets me.

Which is your favorite pet? I grew up on a farm, loved animals. We must have had about 30 dogs during my growing up years, puppies galore, hundreds of cats. How could I have a favorite? The kids had pets, too. Now, I avoid pets because we are never home.

Which do you prefer, black or white? Black for clothes that slim, white for iPhone color

What’s your biggest fear? Being out of God’s will and grace.

What’s your attitude, mostly? Happy! Grateful!

What is perfection? God is perfection. I fall way short.

What’s your guilty pleasure? Sleeping late

Hoop #3: I need to share 10 random facts about myself. Hmm…I think we are all done with this Holly Michael show. Let’s move on.

Hoop #4: PASS IT ON! These are my seven nominees for the Kreativ Blogger award, because they’re so wonderful:
Now, those who accepted the award must: thank the awarder, link back to them — answer the ten questions above — share ten random facts about yourself — pass it on to seven other bloggers. It’s all right if you don’t–no pressure, just a small token of my admiration, and a thank-you for being a part of my blogging community.

1. Wanda at the Watered Soul where she offers short, sweet nuggets of inspiration on Bible, Books, and Blogging.
2. OneEarthUnited has a great blog post up now. Don’t miss it. (heehee)
3. Love this blog. While I’m “Writing Straight” Barbara is Scribbling Outside the Lines. Lol!
4. Another great blog. Just click. I promise you’ll like it!
5. Damyanti @ Daily (W)rite blogs about writing on her fantastic site!
6. 4 AM Writer balances writing and life beautifully. 4 AM? Really? You go girl. You deserve this award.
7. Steven W. Watkins has a fantastic blog: OBSERVE. THINK. PLAN. WRITE. PURSUE. EXECUTE……… INSPIRE.. He delivers on all of these points. You can get lost in his posts. Wonderful professional writer.
8. Ms.Nine, a writer and a teacher, has a great blog going on over at her site.
9. Life on the Farmlet, my new life in Northern Alabama is another great blog site. Lynda’s got some great reads and photos over there. Entertaining for sure!
10. Want to be inspired by beautiful prose. Check out Lori Lipsky @ Poetry Patio
11. Check out Marney McNall at the http://volunteerfringe.com/. Another great blog site!
12. Diane at http://hometogo232.wordpress.com/ has a wonderful blog. She’s really a sweet inspirational writer.
13. Alex at Martian Sunrise has a fascinating blog about “the Expression of the Cross within Culture.” Be sure to visit his unique blog.

14. Bill Jones ponders life through the eyes and heart of a Christian man here.

15. And check out Dawn at Since You Asked. Great stuff going on over there.

Thanks everyone. If you’ve read this far you’re committed. No click those links and have some fun!

More Awards! Sweet!

19 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Award, Inspiration

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And speaking of sweet… SR at To Have Her Heart is so sweet. Gotta love her and her blog. She gave me the One Lovely Blog Award. Awww! I love hearts. I used to collect hearts as a kid. Put heart stickers all over my letters and papers. Often signed a little heart after my name. And look! A heart! Cute, isn’t it? I’m so honored.

Also got nominated for the Reader’s Appreciation Award by Virginia at  Poetaofficium.

Who wouldn’t appreciate a beautiful sunflower award! Yellow and bright. Nice! Thanks Ladies! Now, go and visit SR and Virginia’s blogs, if you haven’t done so already. Both are lovely blogs that inspire, give advice and motivate!

Well, as always with these awards there are a few rules. Firstly, you have to provide a link to the blogger/s who nominated you (done that – check above). Secondly, you need to mention some things about yourself. Ok. 1. I already said I like hearts. 2. I’m a rule-breaker. And being a rule-breaker, I’m going to do this different. Enough said about myself. I’m going to mention some things about those I’m gifting with these awards to.  They deserve it. And they deserve to get two awards (One Lovely Blog Award and the Reader Appreciation Award) for the price of one because these bloggers are doubly awesome. And the winners are (drum roll, please):

1. Meanwhile Melody Muses. Melody Lowes has two blogs. She loves gardening and this is her second blog: My Gardening Blog. Melody is an author with a devotional book coming out soon. She’s super sweet and deserves hearts and flowers galore. She’s also a photographer, poet, watercolour artist, songwriter, and a beautiful soul who loves God with all of her heart. Melody is also an avid gardener and both of her blogs are so lovely. In her pages, you will connect to her. Your spirit will be renewed. You will smile. For sure!

2. Clarissa (Char) at Joy in the Moment, is all about JOY. Who couldn’t use a little JOY. She helps her readers gain insights into ways to experience more JOY, and motivates others to find JOY in words (both books and writing).

3. Just started following Rich Weatherly’s Welcome to My Place.  He writes on historical events from a Christian world view. His current novel is set in 1835 and the years that follow.

4. Also just began following Adam Colling’s blog, The Collingszone. He’s an aspiring novelist who works as a software engineer during the day. He lives in Tasmania, Australia with his wife Linda, and his children Chloe and Harrison. You’ll really enjoy his uplifting blog.

5. Naty Mato’s of The Rising Muse is my new friend. And I’m so glad! I really like Naty. She’s super sweet and also has a new book out called, The Road Home. I had her as a guest author recently. You will love getting to know Naty. Don’t miss her blog or her book.

6. Sharon Hoover, A Journal of Missional Living, has a great blog. In her online Journal, she reflect on attempts to live consistently as a follower of Jesus in my work, ministry and home.

7. T.M. Gaouette is a freelance writer, ghostwriter, blogger and fiction novelist of a wonderful Christian Fiction YA novel: The Destiny of Sunshine Ranch. TA was born in Africa, brought up in London, and is now living in New England with her husband and three children. TM Gaouette is dedicated to glorifying God through her stories for children and young adults. Look for a review on my blog this week!

8. Emma Moore’s Life Little Surprises is a blog you don’t want to miss. Really! Emma, an inspirational writer, poet, artist, and jewelry designer is so sweet. She deserves even more than two awards. Reading her blog makes my day. And she always hops over to my blog to comment on my post. I want to reach through the blog and give her a hug!

9. Francene Stanley at Stitching Words is an up and coming, exceptional author and dear friend. Her book, Wind over Troubled Waters is going to be a best-seller. I’m so sure of it. Check out Francene’s blog and her book.

10. Linden Barrick‘s Hello God, Welcome to My Classroom, also has a blog that deserves two awards.  I really like her thoughtful, informative, teaching, inspirational blog. Another blog you’ll love, too.

There are so many more blogs out there and as I like to connect bloggers, readers, and writers together, I’ll try to keep up with linking everybody on future blog posts. Thanks for the awards and I’m happy to pass them on to deserving bloggers.

Another Award: I’m So Honored

25 Friday May 2012

Posted by in Award

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Wow, another award! They just keep coming in….

SR at To Have Her Heart has awarded my blog with the Beautiful Blogger Award! I am happy to accept!

Now there are three things you have to do when you receive this award. First, you post the award image on your blog. Then, the fun part is that you get to pass this award on to other bloggers. But first, I need to tell you a few things you may not know about me! I’ve done this with the other awards (I’m so flattered) so I’ll try to come up with something new.

1. I was born shortly after Christmas, that’s why I’m named Holly

2. I was raised Lutheran in an anti-catholic home, but secretly admired catholics and always felt I was spiritually wired as a catholic…I love the devotions (not worship of) the saints and liturgy of the ancient church and now feel I’m “home” in the Anglican church with its rich Old English language of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, the chants, traditional hymns, and the embracing of the catholic faith and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. But I also have a deep respect for those of all denominations and people of all faith. We’re all destined for the same home.

3. I had a motorcycle when I was 17, crashed it on my first ride, broke my ankle and had a concussion and now I don’t much care for motorcycles.

4. I’m addicted to chocolate and most food items where sugar is the main ingredient.

5. I’m a girly girl…love purple and pink and cute shoes (and these pretty blog awards too).

6. My daughter, Betsy (also a girly girl who shares my love of pink and shoes) and I just came up with a really cool plot for my next novel…actually, it was a story I’d begun years ago, that Betsy always loved and recently reminded me of. It’s lost in some old computer but we’re excited about the plot that we recalled and brainstormed about together until we both got goosebumps…and now Betsy wants 50% of the profits because she’s sure it will be a bestseller…lol!

Now, the really fun part — giving the award to others! Here are some deserving inspiring blogs…do pay them a visit!

Diana Symon’s Blog: Christian writer, thinker, dreamer.

Donna Martin’s Blog: On the Write Track

Annie Camille’s Four Deer Oak

Ingrid Shaffenburg’s Threadbare Gypsy Soul

Shirley McClain’s Blog, Writing, Musing, and Inspiration…

Writing For the Glory of God: Melinda Viergever Inman. Rooted in Christ. Coming Home

http://www.jewelsofencouragement.com/

Have a great weekend!

Another Award: The Versatile Blogger! Yay!

23 Wednesday May 2012

Posted by in Award

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Another blog award!  Woohoo! I’m so honored!! I received the Versatile Blogger Award (VBA) from author and blogger, Lada Ray! I’ve got to go clear a shelf for all of these awards!

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Here is the link to Lada Ray’s post: Lada Ray

According to my esteemed sponsor, Lada Ray, here is what VBA is all about:

Versatile Blogger Award (VBA)

What is it?

As far as I can tell — details are rather sketchy and only the creator knows for sure — this lofty-sounding award is basically a mutual admiration society where bloggers recognize their peers for writing quality blogs that touched them in some way. The VBAs honor the blogger rather than specific posts. It’s a chance for bloggers to pat themselves on the back like the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences does with the Oscars. Until someone starts giving out Blogscars, the VBAs will have to suffice.

What are the criteria?

If you are nominated, you’ve been awarded the Versatile Blogger Award. I nominated 15 outstanding bloggers below. Congratulations!

Thank the person who gave you this award. That’s common courtesy.

Thank you, Lada Ray! I am truly honored and touched!

Include a link to their blog. That’s also common courtesy — if you can figure out how to do it.

Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly. (I would add, pick blogs or bloggers that are excellent!)

The envelope, please…

Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award — you might include a link to this site.

And the nominees/winners are (in no particular order):

1. Honoré Dupuis’s Of Glass & Paper http://ofglassandpaper.com/

2. Anglela Mackey’s Rethinking My Thinking http://rethinkingmythinking.info/

3. Charissa’s Joy in the Moments: http://joyinthemoments.com/

4. SR’s – To Have Her Heart is To Love Jesus http://bearingheavycrosses.wordpress.com/about-me/

5. Kristina’s My Wyoming Adventure http://www.mywyomingadventure.com/

6. Glenda Mill’s Meet Me On The Mountain: http://glendamills.com/

7. Writing About New Realities With a Glimpse of Faith: http://barbarahartzler.com/

8. Cindy Dwyer: A Reason to Write http://cynthiadwyer.com/

9. Spiritual Lives of Women: http://pattyperkowski.com/

10. Emma L. Moore’s Life’s Little Surprises: http://emmalmoore.wordpress.com/

11. I Go To Sleep Counting Test Strips Instead of Sheep: Life as a Mom of a child with type 1 diabetes: http://igotosleepcountingteststripsinsteadofsheep.wordpress.com/

12. TM Gaouette’s  http://tmgaouette.com/

13. Rachelle’s Window @ http://www.rachelleayala.com/

14. The Working Momaholic http://theworkingmomaholic.com/

15. Braveheart: Tales from the Front Line: http://beckydoughty.wordpress.com/

Congratulations, winners!

Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.

I just did this for the last award, so I’ll try not to be repeitious:

1. I was born and raised in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (a peninsula) on a dairy farm.

2. Both my husband and I are the seventh child in our family.

3. I wrote non-fiction and was a journalist before delving into fiction.

4. I love to travel and am blessed to be married to an Anglican Bishop, who is from another country (India) and who has friends all over the world. All we need is a plane ticket and off we go! Also, we travel quite a bit around the US.

5. My son is in the NFL! Go New Orleans Saints! (although if you read my blog, you already know this). I tell my kids they get their athletic ability from me. I won the fifth grade high jump contest and could always run fast.

6. As much as I love nature and quiet country places, I love the hustle and bustle and rythmn of life in the city. I love Kansas City, as it has both.

7. I’m waiting for my novel, Crooked Lines to find a home with a publisher and I have another book almost finished and my plan is to write a lot of books!

Congrats to the new VBA winners, and thanks again to my friend, Lada Ray! I’m reading her amazing book and will review it soon along with TM Gaouette’s book. Be patient, life’s been kind of busy lately!

I Won the Kreativ Blogger Award given by A.D. Duling

22 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in Award

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How fun! Thanks to the one of my favorite bloggers: A.D. Duling, I got an award and get to post the lovely Kreative Blogger Award on my blog! Thank you A.D! Here is that lovely award:

Isn’t it cute! Now part of receiving this wonderful award is that I continue on with this kindness and nominate 7 other blogs that I feel deserving of this award.  After that I get to answer 10 questions about myself and then 10 random facts about me that you did not know! So here goes!

My 7 nominees:

Got to start with my husband’s blog, cause he’s awesome and so is his blog: Episcoblog: The Online Journal of Bishop Leo Michael http://episcoblog.holycatholicanglican.org/ He’s an Anglican Bishop and posts from knowledge of faith matters. Good stuff!

Jennifer Donohoe, Author: http://jenniferdonohoe.com/blog.html Jennifer has a YA book, an excellent book of substance, coming out soon. Up and coming, great writer and blogger! Support her by visiting her blog.

Trisha Faye: So Many Books…So Little Time –  An author who celebrates life and invites readers to do the same in her blog. http://trishafaye.wordpress.com/about/

Writing Between the Lines: Life from a Writer’s POV – http://naomibaltuck.wordpress.com/  – Along with fascinating blog posts, Naomi Baltuck also puts up a weekly photo challenge.

ELK JERKY FOR THE SOUL: It’s tough but you need it- http://elkjerkyforthesoul.wordpress.com/  – This wonderful blog by Michael and Mary Findley is chock full of good stuff, as meaty as elk jerky. (thought I never had elk jerky). I love the book reviews and insightful posts! Great blog that deserves to be awarded.

Stitching Words- Francene Stanley http://francene-wordstitcher.blogspot.com/ – I just love Francene’s writing. She’s a delightful kind soul from England. I was so blessed to meet her in person when I traveled there. Her blog expresses the deep thoughtfulness of her beautiful soul. AND she’s a superb author. Check out her book: Wind Over Troubled Waters that she wrote with Edith Parzefall.

RICK BYLINA: THE ONLY RULE: WRITERS WRITE! EVERYTHING ELSE IS A GUIDELINE.– http://rickbylina.blogspot.com/ If you haven’t checked out Rick’s blog, you must! He’s an excellent author. You’ll love his books and his blog. He will keep you laughing. Really! Don’t miss this blog for anything.

Now to answer my 10 questions:

1. What is your favorite song? I’m so eclectic with my music. I love old Hymns , rock and roll, classical, country western, anything uplifting. No heavy metal. Can’t say I have a favorite. It’s like asking if I have a favorite child.

2. What is your favorite dessert?  Ice cream! Any kind or a bowl of three different kinds.

3. What ticks you off? People who gush about how much they love you then turn around and stick it to you.

4. What do you do when you’re upset?  Complain and cry to my husband or kids, then instantly get over it.

5. Which is/was your favorite pet? Growing up on a farm and having raised three kids, there have been many and I can’t say one was the favorite. But…Betsy loved Pepper, our black cocker spaniel the best!

6. Which do you prefer, black or white? In clothes, black because it’s slimming and white washes me out.

7.What is your biggest fear?  Anything untoward happening to my family.

8. What is your attitude mostly? Happy and fun-loving.

9.What is perfection? God.

10. What is your guilty pleasure? Ice Cream and shoes.

Ten random facts about me:

1. I was born and raised on a dairy farm in Northern Wisconsin on a peninsula very close to Lake Michigan, but can’t swim.

2. I’m married to an Anglican bishop from India (Holy Catholic Church-Anglican Rite) and I have three children ages Nick-17, Betsy-20, Jake-22.

3. I am a traditionalist

4. I love to travel.

5. I have vivid detailed dreams. Sometimes I dream as soon as I close my eyes, before I am actually asleep. Sometimes my dreams come true.

6.  I believe in miracles and trust God above all things

7. I have a phone phobia. I hate talking on the phone. It makes me nervous.

8. I don’t like TV, except for The Voice, Dancing with Stars and sometimes the news.

9. I love sleep!

10. I’m the seventh child out of ten children. My husband is also the seventh child.

So thanks for dropping in and relishing in this award with me. Do check out those nomoniees PLEASE!