Giveaway and Review of Holy Roller by Julie Lyons

I am pleased to offer a free copy, provided by the publisher, of the new non-fiction book "Holy Roller" to one person who makes a comment here from July 13 to July 18.

The author, Julie Lyons, was working as a crime reporter when she followed a hunch into the South Dallas ghetto. She wasn’t hunting drug dealers, but drug addicts who had been supernaturally healed of their addictions. Was there a church in the most violent part of the city that prayed for addicts and got results?

At The Body of Christ Assembly, a rundown church on an out-of-the-way street, Lyons found the story she was looking for. The minister welcomed criminals, prostitutes, and street people–anyone who needed God. He prayed for the sick, the addicted, and the demon-possessed, and people were healed.

Lyons ’s story landed on the front page of the Dallas Times Herald. But she got much more than just a great story, she found an unlikely spiritual home. Though the parishioners at The Body of Christ Assembly are black and Pentecostal, and Lyons is white and from a traditional church background, she embraced their spirituality–that of “the Holy Ghost and fire.”

It’s all here in Holy Roller–the stories of people desperate for God’s help. And the actions of a God who doesn’t forget the people who need His power.

my book's blog is up and running

Hi Friends, Old and New.
As you may know I co-wrote a very upbeat book about how to celebrate Christmas, last year, and my co-authors and I posted fun and inexpensive tips 6 days a week last year, so there is a wonderful treasure trove of Christmas tips at our blog.
This week we are starting again with even more fresh ideas.
Visit http://scrapbookofchristmasfirsts.blogspot.com for Christmas in July :)
We love you to share your comments and ideas on the blog, and also appreciate blog followers greatly.

Wild Horses and Great Plan to Save Them

Wild Horses 3
Originally uploaded by hep73

Like me, did you grow up reading all the Black Stallion books, and the Misty of Chincoteague books, and riding horses or ponies? I have long admired and loved horses and their deep eyes and myriad personalities. Now our wild horses are faced with a crisis, as their numbers are growing.

I am so happy that there is an excellent plan to create a 1,000,000 acre sanctuary for America's wild horses. Madeleine Pickens at http://madeleinepickens.com
describes this plan that she is working on.

Since America's wild horses roam on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, which allows cattle grazing by private ranchers, the number of horses the land can carry is limited legally. Shockingly the BLM has about 30,000 of our wild horses in large and small holding pens and facilities, since the number of wild horses allowed on BLM lands (owned by us taxpayers) is limited, so they round up the "excess" horses and put them in pens. Some are adopted, but there are so many that euthanasia is being discussed.

Mrs. Pickens' wonderful plan outlines a private purchase of a huge ranch which can be home to perhaps 30,000 wild horses. At her website please click on "send an email to Ben Salazar" in support of this plan. Another useful website is http://wildhorsefriends.com

Ramses III of Egypt and Early Flower Pots

Originally uploaded by dalbera

La tombe du Prince Khaemouaset (VdR 44) dans la Vallée des Reines (Thèbes ouest, Egypte)

Wow, I just learned that flower pots are documented back to the time of Ramses III, Pharoah of Egypt, as long ago as 1230 B.C. Scholars call Ramses III creative and an innovator, and the last of the great Pharoahs.
Born in 1198 B.C. when Egypt enjoyed security, Ramses built many temples and palaces, including the famed architecture at the much visited and admired Abu Simbel. He used earthenware flower pots in the 514 semi-public gardens that he established.
His gardeners filled the pots with colorful flowers and shrubs, and with papyrus plants, which was a break in tradition with Egypt's formal gardens.
Ramses III had the pots set along walkways in temples and gardens, which makes me think that he had a bit of the gardener's soul in him.

Peruvian Lilies are great for bouquets

Lillies
Originally uploaded by that.girl

Peruvian lilies last a very long time in bouquets, especially when picked from your garden.
I admired my friend's Peruvian lilies, and bought a plant a year ago, and last month a friend dug up her lilies to move them and gave me a nice big clump, so I feel very rich indeed.
They come in many colors, often with a yellow or pink tone and with speckles, and there are also red and bronze varieties.
I keep replacing the roses in the vase of flowers on my kitchen table but the Peruvian lilies persevere, bless them.
These perennials (Alstroemeria) grow from one to four feet tall, with most growing to two feet in height. Plant the roots 6 to 8 inches deep. Recommended for zones 7 to 10, they are winter hardy if planted at the proper depth and mulched. Give them partial shade in hot summer areas and more sun in cooler areas, and plenty of water in spring and summer.

Some gardeners say these plants are invasive, even spreading into lawns, so keep that in mind. One of my two clumps is planted in a HUGE container, so that may be a good way to grow them, especially in mild climates.
I predict you will enjoy these flowers.
If you have any Peruvian lily stories or tips to share with us, please leave a comment.

Hot June is Time for Planting More Seeds

Zinnia
Originally uploaded by kimberlyfaye

Yes,
Now that the soil and air temperature is hot, many seeds will thrive if you plant in June and July. You may fear it is too late for seeds, but it is an ideal time to plant for second crops.
Zinnias, marigolds, nasturtiums, cosmos and sunflowers can be planted in June and July.
For second vegetable crops plant beans, summer squash, beets, Japanese mustard, and carrots from seed.
Basil, parsley, thyme, oregano and sage will also do well now, so go ahead and plant this week. More power to you, my gardening friends.

My summer treat is Dreyers Coconut frozen bars

Dreyers ice-cream delivery truck
Originally uploaded by jitze

In the interest of good health, I avoid an excess of sugar, and have discovered something delicious that has only 15 g of sugar per serving. That isn't too much sugar when I am careful the rest of the day.

My recent discovery is Dreyer's frozen fruit bars in the Creamy Coconut flavor.
It has tiny flakes of coconut in the bars.
My husband and I enjoy this treat, and one of our cats always asks for a taste, when we are done.
Well, Big Boy the cat asks immediately but he has to wait a few minutes till we are done.

I see that each bar has 120 calories. There are other flavors including lime and strawberry but it is coconut as the winner at our house.

What is your favorite summer treat? Please share it here so we can all be intrigued and tempted to make a purchase, make a smoothie in the blender, or create a cobbler.
Do tempt us all.