Christmas Gift Basket Contest

Today is the kickoff day for my book's tour among 65 blogs!
"Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts", co-authored with 5 other remarkable writers who have become my friends, will help you celebrate Christmas.

This holiday can be joyful and easier, with tips and tales we share within our book's pages. First Christmas stories are also here, from a family's Christmas dinner at Waffle Hut, to my camping in the Florida Everglades with my mom, dad, sister, chihuahua and assorted wildlife.

We have created a bountiful Christmas gift basket which you can enter to win, by leaving a comment at the book's blog at scrapbookofchristmasfirsts.blogspot.com
or at any of the 65 blogs participating in our book blog tour.
Leave comments between Sept. 15 and Sept. 30, 2008; one per blog max.
What is in the basket? A Willow Creek figurine, candles, holiday gift mixes, puzzles, ten new books and more. There is a photo of it on the book's blog today, and on my blog on Sept. 19.

Book Blog Tour Sept. 15-30

Google Earth Gets Historic Maps
Originally uploaded by dannysullivan

Wow! Only four days left.
We have found more than 60 bloggers to host our "Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts" blog tour, in 23 states and in Canada and the Philippines.


Do you realize that this tour will be in Florida, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Louisiana, Montana, Pennsylvania, California, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Washington, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Oregon, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Canada and the Philippines?


Karen Robbins, co-author and tour co-ordinator, gave me this list of states and countries. For a list of the participating blogs visit scrapbookofchristmasfirsts.blogspot.com
Happy travels as you visit these blogs and leave a comment, for a chance to win the Christmas gift basket, valued at $200.

Saturdays with Stella

I love this book and I don't even have a dog! My two cats have my husband and I trained, but this is a fun book for anyone to read. I learned when reading Saturdays with Stella, that God is as patient with us as a good owner is with their little doggie, and that most of us exhibit negative traits, like fear, lack of trust, being self-centered that dog trainers deal with.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1601421397






Sometimes your best four-legged friend is also your best teacher

When you bring a new dog into your home, a wash of great joy can become a trial of perseverance as your furry pal chews, digs, yaps, and yes, piddles her way through every room in the house. Allison Pittman learned this all too well when she adopted a “tiny, shiny puppy of indefinable breed(s).” Stella wasted no time in turning her home upside-down as only a pup can.

As could be expected, six weeks of obedience school covered the much needed basics–sit, stay, come, and down. What Allison didn’t expect was the spiritual benefit she would receive as each Saturday lesson revealed a fascinating metaphor. In this heart-warming, thoughtful, and often hilarious tribute to her beloved Stella, Allison Pittman shares how she came to understand what it means to follow the ultimate Master, including how to:

Sit!–at the feet of Jesus and listen for His voice
Drop It!–and let go of personal agendas
Come!–when it’s time to run in the right direction
Stay!–in God’s presence

In Saturdays with Stella, a slightly neurotic yet curiously adorable canine will not only capture your heart–she’ll show you how captivating you are to God.

Author Bio:

Allison Pittman is the author of the three books in the popular Crossroads of Grace series. Before her life as a novelist, Allison spent sixteen years teaching high school English. A founding member and copresident of the Christian Writer’s Group of the Greater San Antonio area, she devotes her time inspiring other writers to work toward their goals and sharpen their skills. Allison lives in Universal City , Texas with her husband Mike, their three sons, and Stella.


One person who leaves a comment here will be chosen at random, to receive a free copy of this delightful book. You and your dog are guaranteed to learn something within these pages.

My Christmas Book Arrived At My House

I am so happy to be holding my copy of the first book I wrote: "Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holiday".

The publisher, Leafwood Publishers, sent it to me. People can order a copy from Leafwood at 1 877-816-4455 toll free, or from Amazon, etc.

Peter Rabbit Birthday Sept. 4

DSC01622.JPG
Originally uploaded by yokoyama

Let's celebrate the anniversary of Peter Rabbit's birthday September 4.
I read yesterday in John Kremer's newsletter (John Kremer@bookmarket.com) that Sept. 4 is Peter's birthday. I wonder if that is the publication date of the first book starring him?
Or the day Beatrix Potter completed her manuscript? Or?
A good way to celebrate is to rent the movie Miss Potter; my husband and I highly recommend it.
Gorgeous English country hills and farms and interiors, a strong lady ahead of her times, even a love story and a conservation ethos tucked in there.
Happy Day Peter.

Labor Day Weber Lamb Feast

Backyard Weber
Originally uploaded by -DjD-

Did you have a lovely Labor Day? Our sons came over, and my husband cooked a boneless leg of lamb, seasoned with oregano, on our trusty Weber charcoal grill.

Thanks to those Australian lamb producers.
We cut the leg of lamb in to two portions, and froze the smaller portion. The 3 pound lamb took an hour to cook in the Weber, with left overs for our sons to take home.
We also enjoyed green beans sauteed in olive oil, soy sauce and chopped garlic, a mozzarela and tomatoes side dish with basil from the garden, and shrimp and cocktail sauce.
What were your Labor Day celebrations like?

bean

bean
Originally uploaded by alice-palace

In the bean-gining there were beans.
My beans experiment, from two packages of bean seeds 6 weeks ago, is going well. The delicious little guys are 8 inches tall.
Now is the time for folks in temperate climes to consider planting fall vegetable crops.
Kale, chard, beets, spinach mustard hybrid (Red Komutsuna), Pak choi, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, and stir fry mix, to name a few that I enjoy.
What shall I plant?
Chiogga beets look so gorgeous, with interior rings of bright pink and white, when you slice them.
What do you recommend as easy to grow for fall vegetables?