Thoughts??

Ok, I would like some feedback from our readers on this post.  I was thinking to myself how fun it would be to do some sort of contest.  So, as I was mulling around ideas and thinking about different things that would be fun, I came up with a brilliant idea (or one that I thought was brilliant!! lol!)

So, it is a writers/photographers contest.  I will randomly pick (out of those who enter) 10 participants (five photographers, 5 writers).  I will then randomly match up each of these (1 writer with 1 photographer).

We will somehow get each pair connected to each other via email or whatever.

Now the challenge.  Each pair will have until a certain time period (if I do this at the end of October, it will end the middle of December) to write the story and get pictures that correlate with the story (so, writers will write up the story, and the photographer will have to use some big creativity to get photos that actually work for the story (ei: if the story was talking about a tree, you wouldn't want to get a picture of a kitchen)).  However, the writer will also have to keep in mind that the story will need to be kept relatively simple so that modern day pics will actually fit into the story (in other words, don't write about great historical places if the person who is photographing for you doesn't live any where near historical places).

We could even have prizes, perhaps... lol!

Does all of this make sense??  So, what do you think?  I want to know if we would actually have enough people that would want to participate (I said 5 of each only if we ended up having lots of people enter.. we could do less, depending..)

If we end up needing one more author/photographer, perhaps Becca or I could fill in, but we will just see.

Any way, I would love to hear your thoughts on this!  You DON'T have to be a professional photographer to participate! Even if all you have is a digital camera, that works just fine. Same the author (esses) out there.
  It is just to have some fun, but also give the participants a little challenge.

Thoughts?

Love, Sarah

Pictures of the Kitties and Lady

I went outside with my camera the other day and had a fun time getting some shots of the kittens, cat and Lady (our dog).  It was fun to pick up my camera again, and love the photos that came out.  (OK, I always delete some of them, but that just happens..... )

Below is our lovely Lady

Here are all of our cats  

I had a lot of fun watching the kittens play and trying to wait and get some good shots.  It is hard to get animals to look at the camera, so I was pretty pleased with how the pictures turned out.  We have all enjoyed getting to have some kittens- instead of giving them away just when they were getting to the fun stage!!  They can purr too.....

Through His Redeeming Love,

Rebecca

The Winners!!!!!

Howdy folks! Step right up and listen as I tell who the winners are!

We had SO much fun with this giveaway! I was so excited about it that I had all the names written and tossed in the hat yesterday afternoon! 

First of all, thank you to all who entered.  I had such fun coming up with rules and whatnot and really enjoyed seeing the response. :-)  I think we will have to do more in the future, don't you agree??

So, for the winners... It will be separate prizes because more people win!  Below is the picture of my little helper.. lol!!

*drum roll as the suspense grows....*

Winner of the Adorable set from Samantha is.....

Megan!!!!!!!!! Congrats, Megan! So glad you won!

The winner of the Bible cards is...

Sonja!!!! Congrats, dear Sonja!!!!!

Winner of the certificate to my shop is......

Samantha!!! Yippee, so glad for you dear!

Winner of the custom made necklace is...

Johanna!!!! Hurray Johanna!

Then, the winner of the surprise draw is....

Martha Joy!!!  I am so glad you won, Martha!!

Several people suggested that I do a coin purse as the surprise draw.. however, I never did get around to making anything, so I guess you get to choose! Something small that can be made fast so I can get it to you as soon as possible. :-)


Ok, so congrats to all of the winners! I just need you to drop me a note on this post with your email/mailing address.  Becca will need to talk to Johanna about choosing colors for her necklace, and Martha and I can chat about what she gets. :-)

I am so happy for all of you!! I know that several of you actually got what you were hoping for and just to let you know.. I didn't plan it at all.  However, I did pray before drawing each one, so there ya have it. :-)

Hope everyone has a great day today!  First day of our home school choir! I am really excited. I will be doing the piano accompaniment for the older choir as well as singing on a few songs.  It will be a new area to grow in. :-)

We hope to have future contests/giveaways so I hope you all will stick around and participate in those later on.

God bless,

Sarah and Rebecca

Long time need to post tag!!

Howdy friends!! Liz Darcy has been so very kind and has tagged me!!  I was SO excited to receive it. :-)  However, this dense headed person sitting at the desk was rather silly and didn't know which tag it was... Any way, Liz has been so very kind and has copied out the questions for me.  So, here goes!!

(1) Top 3 Authors: Hmm.... Well, I really like Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, and George McDonald.  Or anyone who can write a good book!!

 (2) Top 3 male characters:  Well, I don't know!! I like SO many! Mr. Darcy  in Pride and Prejudice would definitely be one, then John Ridd in Lorna Doone, and male characters in my own books. lol!!!  Well, I do like Edmond in the Narnia series.. at the moment I can't much think of who else I really like! Oh, I know.  I love Malcolm McPhail in The Fisherman's Lady (McDonald)

(3) Top 3 female characters: Lizzy Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Anne in Persuasion,

(4) Top 20 fictional books: The Fisherman's Lady and it's sequel The Marquis' Secret, A Daughters Devotion, The Landlady's Master (all of the afore mentioned are by George McDonald), Pearl Maiden, An Old Fashioned Girl (Alcott), The Reign of Terror, The Kingdom Series (6 in all.. if you have EVER wanted a book that had knights and ladies, this is a definite read!!! They are an Allegory of the Bible and I have read them a dozen times.. in fact, my brother and I have read them so many times that we had to buy new copies because the other was falling apart! they are by Chuck Black), Lord of the Rings (3 in all), Roses for Mama (Janette Oke), The Millie Keith series (I think there are 8 in the series and I believe they were written by the same lady who wrote the Elsie Dinsmore series. For those of you who loved Elsie, you will like Millie. For those of you who didn't much care for Elsie, you will LOVE the Millie Keith series!!!) Drums of Change (Janette Oke)

(5) Top 3 books most recently read: A Daughter's Devotion, The Fisherman's Lady, and I don't know what I read before that....

(6) 3 Worst books ever read: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.  DO NOT EVER read that book. Absolutely awful! If you are an extremely strong Christian, then read it with your family and have a good discussion.. other wise, steer away from it! I didn't much care for the Hobbit (which is like a pre thing to the Lord of the Rings series) that doesn't mean I hate it though... I can't think of anything else.  I don't just pick up a book lightly, so I don't usually read books that I end up not liking in the end.

(7) Top 5 scenes from any books: Any of the fighting scenes in the Kingdom Series, but particularly when one of the knights, after being captured, ends up pinned to the ground by a sword through his middle.  He has to struggle out of it and then fight the evil animals in order to escape. Second one would be when one of the knights is chasing after the evil men who captured the lady and then the battle that ensues afterward.. Third would be something in Pearl Maiden (which I can't say because it would give it away!!).  Fourth would be when Eomor (sp?) in Lord of the Rings finds his sister dead on the battle fields.  It is such a wonderful portrait of a brother's love for his sister and makes me cry every time I read/watch it!!! and Fifth would have to be a couple of battles in Lord of the Rings.

(8) The book(s) that made me cry the most: Lord of the Rings, The Kingdom series, House of Love (Lamplighter Publishing), Roses for Mama, The Sparrow and the Blue bird (I think that is the title.. written by Janette Oke).

(9) The books that made me laugh the most: Lord of the Rings, The Kingdom series, a few Janette Oke books, the Millie Keith Series

(10) The books that made me feel good the most at the end: Lord of the Rings and the Kingdom Series (can you tell I really love those books?!?!), Pearl Maiden, A Daughter's Devotion, the Millie Keith Series.

(11) Contemporary or Historical? Mostly Historical because I am a very old fashioned girl.. I can't really remember reading an contemporary books any way...

(12) Science fiction, Fantasy or Horror? I am not really sure what defines Science fiction or Fantasy, but definitely NOT horror!!!! a Good clean book for me,  please!

(13) Hardback, Trade Paperback, or Mass Market Paperback? I dunno.. I like hard back and paper back, both, but really, really old hard back books are my favorite!!  What in the world does Mass Market paper back look like??

(14) Barnes and Noble or amazon? Um, it would depend... preferably the library!!! I hardly ever buy book for myself, so I am not totally familiar with either. Probably Amazon, though, because it would more than likely be a whole lot cheaper!

(15) Bookmark or Dog ear? Book mark only!!!!

(16) Alphabetize by Author, Alphabetize by title or no organization whatsoever? Mostly no organization.. we kids would sometimes organize our books into groups of series and whatnot... other than that, don't expect much! lol!

(17) Keep, Throw Away, or Sell? I have only thrown one book away in my whole life, and I have never had more pleasure. lol! The picture of Dorian Gray. NASTY!! Other wise I like to keep or sell if I don't much like them.

(18) Little Women or Anne of Green Gables? Anne, definitely.. I have some rather humorous stories concerning myself after I read Anne of Green Gables, the whole series, so it holds fond memories! lol!

(19) Short Story or Novel? Both

(20) Stop Reading when tired or chapter breaks? Depends.  If it is good, I will stop in between chapters, if it is somewhat dull, I can bear parting with it in the middle of a chapter when I am tired of it.

 (21) "It was a dark and stormy night" or "Once upon a time"? Neither, but as they are just trying to get an idea of what I like... One dark and stormy night... lol!

(22) buy or borrow? Well, like I said, I don't much buy books. So, that means I borrow a lot. If there is a book that really strikes my fancy, then I will buy it. However, I usually hardly have any money to buy anything any way..

(23) Standalone or series? Series can be good things, but so are standalones... Depends, I guess!!

(24) Tidy Ending or Cliff Hanger? Well, if it is a standalone, then I definitely don't want a cliff hanger. However, if it is a series, I don't mind the cliff hanger... so long as I have the next book!!! LOL!

Ok, so, I tag:
Samantha
Rebecca (yes, that is you dear sis!)
Rachelle (I am making her save up for when she gets her blog... lol!)
Atlanta
Martha Joy

It is raining here!!! HURRAY!! I LOVE rain.. though, I got soaked in it earlier from rescuing the keys from the roof (long story!). However, that is ok. Romantic to get soaked in the rain, right? lol!!

I am just heading over to draw the winners to our give away, so be sure to check here tomorrow morning.  If I do get extra entries before the night ends, I will simply redraw. But, I am just too excited to hold off much longer!!

Much love to all!!
Sarah

button problems and a prayer request

Hello friends!

Ok, I have been having problems with our blog buttons.  One of the participants in our giveaway informed me that when she checked the button, it wouldn't work (once she had put it on her blog).  So, I have finally gotten around to fixing it.... I hope!

So, if you have put our blog button on your side bar, please check to make sure it works.. if not, please go and re-put it on your blog with the new address.  Hopefully it should work.  If someone updates our button on their blog, please let me know and I can drop by and see if it is working properly.

Thanks so much!  Hoping everyone is having a lovely day!

Oh, I would also ask prayers for a very dear friend of ours.  He had surgery this past week and is in a lot of pain.  Unfortunately it sounds like the pain medicine isn't working too well.  Please pray that God will give him peace and that he will feel comforted with God's arm's around him.  He has been so very patient and doesn't complain, I know, but it is still terribly hard.

Thank you!

Sarah

Update real quick....

Howdy friends!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Sunday!! I am sorry I haven't been doing very regular posts on here.. been rather busy! However, I will hopefully get you fully updated on what we have been doing this Summer.

Any how, just a reminder.. the giveaway ends THIS THURSDAY!!! So, don't forget to redmin your friends to enter if they want.  I can't wait to see what everyone wins, and I hope all of you are as excited as I am!! :-)

Well, wishing everyone a happy day filled with rest, peace, and joy.  I get to cuddle my little 2 1/2 yr old cousin who is arriving today from MD!!!  Of course I will be glad to see my Aunt and Uncle as well... lol!!

Love,
Sarah

Root Beer float Fix

Howdy there!!

Ok, I just figured up a *healthy* way to have a Root Beer Float! lol!!  Ok, perhaps it isn't *healthy* per say, but is is quick and easy!

So, put some root beer in a cup.  Next take some heavy cream, half & half, or milk (heavy cream or half &half works best) and add some to your root beer.  (you may need to add more later on after you have tasted it).  Now add a bit of vanilla.  Ta-da!!!  Super simple, super good!!

Why healthy, you might ask? Well, because Ice Cream has extra sugar in it, you get less sugar by using just heavy cream and vanilla, but it still tastes great!  Although, if you are the kind of person to hurry and drink your float before your ice cream melts, you may not like this.  However, I like to let my ice cream melt and then drink it all together. :-) LOL!

So, go and try it and let me know what you think!!

Also, drop me some dinner suggestions.. I am suppose to do dinner while Mom, Becca, and Josh are doing market, but I haven't the slightest idea as to what I should do!!!

So, what do you suggest???

Sarah

Horses

Since it was my day off, I decided to go ride Morgan.  It was nice to "be back in the saddle" again.  :)  Morgan probably didn't enjoy it as much- she is getting pretty old.  I brought my camera out with me and "shot' a  couple of horses.  

Morgan (below)

The ears and back of Queenie

Peek-a-boo!

(Dusty)

In Christ,

Rebecca

Please Follow....

Howdy folks!

A good friend, Grace, over at Grace's Garden Walk, is going to host a monthly interview with other young women bloggers.  She will interview a young lady each month and post it on her blog.  This will give young ladies a chance to "meet" other Christian young women out there! 

However... she needs 100 followers in order to do this.  So, if you don't already follow, click on her blog name and go follow! =D

In Christ,
your extremely tired-need-to-go-to-bed-authoress,
Sarah

Last chance...

Hello Fellow friends and bloggers!!

Just thought I would let everyone know that our giveaway will be ending on the 23rd of This month.  So, if you want to enter, please go hurry!! There are some nice things as several friends contributed to this special occasion.  :-)  Go enter HERE!!

I hope more of you enter!! I was hoping to get more entries, but I suppose this isn't bad for a first try!

Also, my very dear friend, Samantha, is trying to get some more followers.  So, please go and follow her blog if you haven't already. :-)  She will be doing some neat things after she gains 100 followers, so hurry!!! =D

Your loving friend and authoress,
Sarah

Watching and waiting...

I had been home alone for two days while the rest of the family had gone to visit some 'distant' relatives.  Daddy was home as well, but he had to work each day.  So, after the family left a little before lunch, I enjoyed some quiet time and cleaned up the house a bit.  I did some sewing and whatnot and just enjoyed being the little house keeper.


Daddy called one evening to say that he was on his way home.  I got dinner ready and then watched anxiously for him.  He was beginning to be later than he had said and I was getting a little worried.  I kept looking out the windows, looking down the road, and yet still no sign of him.

I was so excited to get to have Daddy all to myself that I just couldn’t wait for him to get home.  He was taking forever, it seemed like, but imagine my joy when he did finally pull up to the house in his car, safe and sound.

This is how we should all be. We should all be watching for Jesus with anxious eyes and expectant glances. We don’t know when He will come back again, so we must always be keeping watch. Never tiring of it, knowing that our joy will be great once we see Him coming.

I had read “The Robe” for a book discussion once. I had semi enjoyed the movie, so I was rather interested in the book (especially since books tend to be better than the movie.). The book is set during the crucifixion of Jesus. It is mostly about a man, who is a Roman of some rank, who actually helps nail Jesus to the cross. He then wins the robe that the soldiers gambled off. Ever since that day, he has been haunted by the robe. He wants to burn it, but his servant (who believes Jesus was the Christ) takes it and hides it. The main character then sets out on a journey to find answers for his questions so that he can have peace.

On the way, he meets his traveling partner who is Jewish or something. (I am having a hard time remembering names!) This Jew was one that had become a Christian in Jesus. As the two traveled along, the Jew began to act strangely. Any time they came to a bend in the road, he would run ahead and look around it. The Roman eventually asked him what he was doing. The Jew simply answered, “I once knew a wonderful man. He disappeared a while back, and I am just keeping watch. He said He would be coming back, so I want to know when He gets here.” –Those may not be the exact words, but you get the picture. :-)

He was keeping watch for Jesus. That part always hit me as so very interesting. Often we get wrapped up in our own world and forget Who’s world it really is!

I know that I am often very content with where I am. Yet, I should be yearning for something more. I should be yearning to go Home to Jesus. Yearning for His arms around me as we walk through my mansion together. Yearning to be forever in His light.
  
 I pray that all of you are yearning for just that.

“Keep watch, for you know not when your Lord may come…”

Your yearning friend,
Sarah

What a Friend We Have In Jesus

We sang this beautiful song this Sunday.  It has words that are just so true.  I really enjoyed the self-check and challenge to remember that we can carry everything to Jesus. 

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!


Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.


Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.


Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

Your Sister in Christ,
Rebecca

Memorial day..

Today is Memorial day.  Ok, ok, today isn't Memorial day, but who says that we can only celebrate it on one day?  Shouldn't we remember it always?  Any way, I was feeling patriotic today, so....What does Memorial day mean to anyone?  How many people really sit and think about it?  Or, how many people actually silently thank those soldiers who are daily giving their lives for our freedom?

Freedom is NOT free and many, many soldiers have given their lives for it.  Young men, barely 20 years of age die almost every day defending out country.  Older men who have families here in the states, die almost every day defending YOUR freedom, YOUR liberties, OUR country!

Having had two grandfather's who fought in the war, (World War II) I know that they went through a lot of stuff.  Living in dirty clothes for days, not getting warm meals three times a day, if they got to eat even once a day on some days, and sleeping on hard beds, or the ground, knowing that the next day could be your last.

Let's remember to thank those that defend our country. Soldiers, Navy men, and officers alike. 

Happy Memorial day! Don't forget how we have gotten and kept our Freedom.....

One Nation UNDER GOD!  "Give me Liberty, or give me death!".  God bless America!

"I pray that we do not forget the awesome power of Our God, of whom our Country is under in all things.  Let us remember to thank God for this Country, for out freedom, for our liberties. Freedom to worship Him as we choose, Freedom to teach out children as we choose, and Freedom to defend our country. Amen."

Sarah

Go and visit THIS link! Neat video...

When will this giveaway end????

Ok, so I guess I forgot to say when our giveaway would end.  So, I am debating between the 23rd, or maybe a week sooner.  So, be sure to spread the word! Although, I suppose that the less entries we get, the more chance you have to win! ;-)
    Keep updated for a REALLY cute post soon!!!!!!!

Yours faithfully,
Sarah

PS don't you love the new header!!?? Becca took that picture at the Tucumcari bull sale last year.  The one in front is her bull that sold very well, if I may say so... ;-) Any way, just a lil' braggin' on my sis. ;-) lol!