review and free copy of Absence So Great: A Novel

Jane Kirkpatrick's historical novel "An Absence So Great" takes readers in to the world of 1910 Wisconsin and Minnesota, and Jessie Ann Gaebele as she pursues her dream of owning her own photography studio.

Shadows of a forbidden love follow the main character as she works toward her dream.
Kirkpatrick thoroughly knows the history of early photo studios in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and includes photographs in this novel, some of them related to her own grandmother, Jessie, who died in 1990 at the age of 98 and who pioneered as a woman photographer.
The author includes fascinating background on feminism, and topics like mercury poisoning from developing prints, and she wrote that her purpose in writing this book was to prove that "accepting the gift of forgiveness is the hardest yet most meaningful work of the human spirit."
The author has written sixteen historical novels and three nonfiction titles.
http://www.randomhouse.com/gm/results.pperl?title_subtitle_auth_isbn=An+Absence+So+Great

Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group provided the copy for me to give away.
Leave a comment for a chance to read this gentle work of fiction. The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be announced April 1.

Adopt a retired military working dog

I get an email newsletter from Madeleine Pickens, a woman I greatly admire for her work to save America's wild mustangs. The newsletter is about easy things we can do to help the mustangs and I am sure you can sign up to get it at her website www.madeleinepickens.com
Today her newsletter is so sweet! She has adopted a German Shepherd named Chyba, and Chyba is a retired military working dog with 10 years of work, defending our country. For a video of Chyba see the above named website.

For more about this program see militaryworkingdogadoptions.com
Madeleine also recommends the website savingamericasmustangs.org

The winners of the books are ...

Sakura and the Books
Originally uploaded by fofurasfelinas
Hi Friends,
I am happy to give away these books, as I celebrate 100 followers for my wee blog.
Sharon Lovejoy and Chocolate Covered Daydreams are two bloggers who each won a copy of "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency".
FlowerLady won "Tale of Hill Top Farm".
Teresa @grammygirlfriend won "Treasured".
I will contact each of you via email to get your address so I can mail you these books that I think you will love.
Hugs to all and more books to give away in the near future.
Meanwhile, let's all get out and garden. Meow.

Books giveaway 100 followers

Fireworks #1
Originally uploaded by Camera Slayer

I am so happy to celebrate having 100 followers, each one of you so dear and sweet.

What can I do to celebrate this auspicious occasion?

Give away a few of my favorite things: Books, yes, books.

Leave a comment here for a chance to win:

1.Ladies' No. 1 Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. If you haven't read this one you are in for a treat. A fabulous lady solves mysteries and takes you in to her beloved country of Botswana. The first in a series.

2. The Tale of Hill Top Farm: The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert. Ms. Potter and her pets are all characters who solve a mystery. Set in 1905 in the country home where Beatrix Potter lived. The first in a series. It is fascinating to eavesdrop on the animals chatting amongst themselves.

3. Treasured: Knowing God by the Things He Keeps by Leigh McLeroy. The author guides us in finding tangible reminders of God's active presence in our own lives.For my review of this book see my post of 12/3/09.
Leave one comment here for an entry to win one book, and note which book you would like; if you are a follower tell me and you will have an extra entry. Winners announced March 22.

Plant Sweet Peas St. Patricks Day before dawn

Soggy Sweet Pea
Originally uploaded by freebird4
An Irish tradition is to plant sweet peas in the hours of darkness between the evening before and the dawn of St. Patrick's Day, which will ensure the best production of these beautiful flowers.
Sweet peas are such perfect plants, with their range of colors, delectable scents, and ease of growing. As soon as your climate and soil allow, plant sweet pea seeds. The widely known types are vines, however I always plant knee high or bush sweet peas. These don’t need fences or trellises to climb on.

Since the seeds are as hard as pebbles, you may want to nick each one slightly with a nail clipper or metal nail file, or soak them for an hour or more. Some years I skip this step and just plant the seeds and keep them well watered. I recommend for bush type sweet peas, Little Sweetheart, Heirloom Cupid, Bijou and Knee-Hi.

For information on the Irish tradition of planting sweet peas by lamplight in the dark hours between sunset the evening before Saint Patrick’s Day, and sunrise that morning, I wrote an article you can read at http://www.positivelyfeminine.org/Creative/garden/th/sweetpea.htm

Daffodils, Wordless Wednesday

daffodils on a windowsill
Originally uploaded by Muffet
Yes, it is wordless Wednesday and here I am adding words!
I bought 2 bouquets of daffodils, grown in Washington state, for $2 each, at Whole Foods store.
I thought they undercharged me, but I checked and that was the right price.
I gave one bouquet to a friend, who is in her late 80s, and recently moved to assisted living. Sad to say, this is the first time in 20 years of our friendship that I can see my friend is "fading". She was mostly alert and carried on a conversation but did ask me if I've been practicing piano, which I have never played, so that was not good. She was thrilled to have the bouquet, it is so cheery.

Garden sculptures, fire and rebirth

http://stoneartblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/once-upon-fairytale-garden.html?showComment=1267127203269_AIe9_BGMv-tfk4ajdJQmE1nXL1bqLp_rJd_qQCY-CXidH2clr6X2UrF47VI7n6gP13TmLJYuge-hPKtAZFKdOI7KrMFat7qfGcMrYqSoCVZmX8sUMkl8bqr-mcdzOQgtUNG9rKLSr58_cfWjC64ismvH-W-23DStF1wqHF7PIl4suUf9odd-e8jOueKEkT1RmpImkjbLm-aW0Yt9geNPS84eTzml05Z_1kbVpuKThvkEzFiIzh8AwPg#c3073523033284773913
 This is an amazing and compelling photo essay about a remarkable garden full of sculptures of fairies and other beings, and the shock of it being destroyed by fire.
The artist and gardener rebuilt quickly, what a talented and resourceful man he is!

Funny Friday, Mercy Me

I love this book cover and hope it makes you smile too.
I have wanted to read this book, Mercy Me, and feel very wealthy, since I ordered a copy and it is on its way here.
Reviewers say it is funny, and you know we can all use more laughs.
I don't even have the book yet, but had to share the cute cover photo, and I will post a review when I have read it. Apparently the author, Margaret A. Graham, pokes fun at church ladies in a good natured way while she also shows that when you need help, call a church lady!
If you have read it, let us know if you like it in a comment, pretty please.

Funny church bloopers

Linda Yezak at her blog authorculture.blogspot.com posted a list of oh so cute bloopers found in church bulletins and announcements and signs. For her whole list visit her post of February 26, 2010.
Here are just a few silly faves:

This evening at 7 pm there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

Potluck supper Sunday at 5 pm - prayer and medication to follow.

Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 pm. Please use the back door.

Don't let worry kill you off - let the church help.

I have seen some of these bloopers before, and they still give me a giggle or two, and I hope they have that effect on you too.