Thanksgiving with the Grandbabes

Wow it was a busy week.  Same for you too?  Thought so.  Well of course with the holiday and family and all....add in the cooking, cleaning up and time for just good all around fun, it keeps folks running.  Did you love it?  Or is it hard to keep up.  Did you do any shopping at the sales?  I do not think I could ever handle the crowds.  I try very hard to get mine done lil by lil all through out the year.  It keeps cost leveled out and I find the just right thing for everyone as I see it.  I do not know how people afford to do it all in one month?

We had the grandbabes here for a week too.  Loved seeing the arrive and like any tired ol Nonnie had to hug and kiss them when it was time for them to go.  But we did have lots of fun and a lil head butting too.  Of course there was tons of "fight the kids" (grandson's way of saying let's play the Wii sword fighting).  And reading, because that's the way we roll.  Also had movie night and games and digging in the dirt and bubbles and and and......you know how it goes.

Wanna know the top fav things of the week?  Well Princess Emma spent the night a couple of times.  And we shared a big ol bed for all three to pile into.  For story time the first evening we read "Gracie's Gift".  Now this was a big hit with Princess Emma as her middle name is Grace.  And the story is all about how gifts come with a bow on top.  Lots of pretty bows and many of them the signature color of Pink too.  Emma loved when she understood the point of the story.  That a bow in lil Gracie's hair reminded her mom what a gift her daughter was to her.  Good point!  The pages where bright with big expressive paintings.  Perfect for all to see at story time.

On movie night we had a new Christmas movie to check out.  Have you heard of Prep & Landing?  Oh this was fun.  My oldest granddaughter really enjoyed seeing the elves as they figured out how to fix things after everything got all bungled up.  This movie premiered in 2009 but it was the first time I had ever seen it.  And now it is becoming a must have in our Christmas line up of shows to watch.  I loved seeing elf wayne learn how to look at the big picture of Christmas.  But the kiddos giggled like ever at elf Lany and his innocent outlook.  Emmy award winner and at home top candy cane award from us too.

My grandson's favorite was when we read "How Do You Feed A HUNGRY GIANT?" that was a pop-up book.  And I have to agree as pop-up books were my favorites growing up too.  This was even better when the giant stood up 3 times taller than the book.  Pretty impressive.  There is also a lil recipe book inside so you can also help feed the giant or your hoard of kiddos.  We tried out the Jumbo Fries (aka sweet potato fries) but we changed out the curry for cinnamon.  The kids loved them while at the same time sweet potatoes are abundant at this time of year.  It was also easy to explain to the kiddos using the book how important it is to help others out.

I needed a break one evening so College Girl took over bedtime duties.  She also was trying to keep up with her school work too.  If you have kiddos you know that reading a book is not always a quick read and tuck into bed.  So College Girl pulled out "Brave Irene" which is both a book and story read on CD.  I loved listening from my room as Meryl Steep told the story of Irene Bobbin delivering the duchesses ball gown to her through a horrid snow storm to help her mom the dressmaker.  There was adventures and plans to be followed through for Irene to get all the way to the Duchess home.  My grandbabes followed along.  And after the CD was through my Granddaughter read the story through a second time for her lil brother.

We had a wonderful week.  I loved all the special times where we were sharing, weather it was reading a story together, cooking our giant fries, watching a Christmas movie or just laying in bed listening to the end of the day.  Thanksgiving can be stressful that is true.  But when you take the time to see what it is your really thankful for then the warmth that takes over makes the holiday a really special time.  I hope your week was really special.  And want to tell you I am also thankful for you too!  Have a great week....see you tomorrow too.

(By the way, yes I had these items sent to me for review.  Isn't that a great way to share, learn about new items and give the grandbabes a great gift?  Thanks to the reps for adding me and Crazed Mind into their programs.)

Family Values = Fun Times

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of American Family Insurance for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

With yesterday being Thanksgiving and enjoying time with extended family, I have been surfing the webb while thinking about growing up.  In doings so I found something I thought you might be interested in.  So of course I popped on here to share with you.  Have you heard about American Family Insurance's Stand Up For Family Comedy Special, hosted by Bill Bellamy?  Well I just heard about it too.  It features some of today's hottest comedians providing entertainment for the entire family.  And is very refreshing to watch.  All the videos are inspired by experiences from their own families as the performers offer their own perspectives on daily life with loved ones, finding the humor that we all can relate to.   It will remind you of growing up.  Times were not easy but they were fun for sure.  Stand Up For Family is a non-stop laugh-aloud showcase perfect for families of all ages to enjoy.  Check out just one of the clips and before you know it you will be popping from one to another.  I especially enjoyed one recalling how we knew as kiddos when to come home.  It was not by a alarm on a cell phone.  Or a reminder text.  Stroll down memory lane with a chuckle or to on good ol time family values that are not so ol time after all.  These videos (follow the links) are all sponsored by AmFam.  

Some Quickies for the Kiddos

Here is a quick save!  If you have one of those lil ibooks, kindle thingies....that you let the kiddos use.  Well you can keep them busy with them on the way over the river and through the woods as you go to grandma's house.  And if that is not enough there will be tons of ideas also for those days that are cold wet and dreary...stuck inside the house.  But in case your in TEXAS like us with weather in the 70's then boot the kiddos to the backyard for some humdinger fun.  

Kids’ Activities for Traveling; 

Keeping the kids entertained can be quite the task. And when you’re stuck in a car or on a plane, it’s even more of a challenge. But with Kids' Activities for Traveling, you’ll find plenty of low-cost ideas for games you can all enjoy when you’re on the go.

Kids’ Activities for a Rainy Day; 

Instead of sticking them in front of the television give them Kids' Activities for a Rainy Day— you’ll find plenty of ideas for activities you can all enjoy when the weather isn’t nice.

Kids’ Backyard Activities and Games;

With Kids' Backyard Activities and Games, you’ll find plenty of ideas for activities you can all enjoy outside. This handy download will keep everyone happy hands down!

And here is more about a recently released children’s book “Maybe (A Little Zen for Little Ones™)” by Sanjay Nambiar, is an ideal fit for conscientious families across the country.  The story is about a wise girl who experiences a series of events that at first seem lucky (or unlucky) but then turn out to be quite the opposite. For each incident, the girl simply does not get caught up in the emotion of the moment, because she can never know what that event might lead to, “good” or “bad” . . . Just like the story itself, the book’s beautiful illustrations juxtapose modern graphics with traditional backgrounds to transpose the old into the new, thus creating an accessible context for deeply meaningful concepts.   Or just "Maybe" is what is happening all too often.  Sometimes we just accept what comes.  But "Maybe" we should sometimes be proactive about a situation.   So I am pretty on the fence about this book.  Could be that I am just a lil too gung ho about life to sit around and always wait on a maybe answer?

Happy "HOT" Birthday

Okay, first off, I need to say that the following will have "adult content".  And if you do not like that then skip off for the day.  But if you are wanting to laugh your butt off, then stick around.  Because as embarrassing the following is...it is also laughable.

Yesterday was Dear Hubby's 49th birthday was yesterday.  And he has a great fear of sharks, so of course we did a shark theme.

First there was his birthday card.

And then there was his birthday hat.  Cupcakes with shark fins and his cake.

Wait, I have a better shot,

The Other Mother made this cake.  Isn't it cute?  With the shark coming through.  And the rubber duckie that did not make it on top.  The Git-R-Done celebrity duck in his life raft on top is being protected by the super ducks from the sand sharks.

Then there was a shark sticker on the toilet that was "clogged up" and Dear Hubby had to check it out.  He jumped a mile on that one.  See it doubling up as a place mat later?

Of course we had a wonderful time.  Laughed hard and was glad Dear Hubby maded it through another year.  Later we went out for his birthday dinner.  Delicious cheese burger and fries with a side of hot wings.  And they are super hot.  Smelling them brought tears to my eyes even.

Then on home for the end of the evening.  Now this is Dear Hubby's special day.  (WARNING...ADULT CONTENT COMING UP)  So of course there was the plans on some special time in the bedroom.  I am all for that.  Things were going as planned.  Nice and slow.  Warming up bit by bit.  A lil of this, a lot of that. And building to be quite warm.  Hot you might even say.  I know that it was getting to the point that I was telling him that he was making me feel on fire.  Yeah!  Warm, warmer, hot, hotter, on Fire.....FIRE!!!  Oh my goodness, I was squirming around and trying to figure things out when....dang it dawned on me!  Dear Hubby had HOT WINGS for dinner.  And I was feeling the after effects.  And not in the nicest of ways at all.

Pushing him away, telling him what was going on and hollering for something cold.  Anything cold would do. I did not care if they were cold sex toys or ice cubes or what....as long as they were ice cold.  And darn it if I did not find out that cold and wet was not the right thing to use where a tabasco ladened hand had been.  Oh, it was not a pretty picture.

Well in time and with Dear Hubby scrubbing his hands and nails with soap and a nail brush, I decided that it was time to try and resume our love making.  I know!  Why!  But it was his birthday and we did laugh afterwards on the lil accident.   So once again with the kissing, caressing, touching and feeling.  And you know what...things were going good.  YIPPEEE!

Well they were....until.....Oh My Goodness....Not AGAIN!  Yes, it seems that scrubbing with a nail brush is just not good enough to get rid of really hot hot wings.  But be dang it.....I am a trooper.  And thankfully we were done......quickly.  Needless to say, I jumped right out of bed.  Not after sex cuddling for me.  No it was right to the bathroom for me.  Time to find some way to cool this ol gal down.

Now if you ever find yourself in this lil situation, what do I recommend?  Well cold wash cloth to begin with. And then maybe a lil cooling gel soap.  It worked for me.  I will never again say that my man is not the hottest.

The Turtle or Steve?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Puppies vs. Babies for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love my grandbabes.  I love my pets too.  I think my grandbabes are the cutest.  And I think my pets and cute but not the cutest.  Silly to talk about but it is because there is a contest out.  Puppies vs. Babies online contest was a surprise when I saw it.  But gosh at a $5,000 grand prize I had to investigate.  I mean, wouldn't you?  

From now til November 23rd you can enter Puppies vs. Babies,  If you can tell me who you voted for too.  But look it over.  I mean don't you wonder now who will win.  A puppy or baby?  Gosh which one also of those.   Of course I would have to say that my Turtle should win.  But of course I should have entered him first in order to win.  

College Girl would vote for her puppy.  Steve is adorable.  But he is all hound dog, barking, howling, running the household.  And how do you pick one dog out of five?  Then again, I have three grandbabes.  Who could be the top dog there.  The one and only girl?  I mean how do you pick just one?  Dang guess it is better if I just go and vote on someone else's baby.  Or someone else's doggie.  I don't t hink I am going to have a safe answer anyway I go.  Can I vote for several?????

Saving This Year on Your Thanksgiving Dinner

Guest post by Stephanie Nelson

This Thanksgiving, Coupon Mom Stephanie Nelson says you can save over 50% on the big meal by following some of her smart savings tips. Take a look at these before you head out to do your holiday food shopping.

Shopping and Saving for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinner can be one of the best bargain meals. By shopping the sales and using coupons, you'll save big while your family and friends rave about your delicious meal.

Just follow these tips for saving:

--It is less expensive to bake a pumpkin pie than an apple pie, and much easier.
--buying a frozen apple pie on sale with a coupon may cost less than making it from scratch and it's certainly easier.
--frozen dinner rolls on sale with a coupon, may cost the same as scratch but are easier (and they taste much better than the cheap brown-n-serve dinner rolls that everyone over bakes and nobody likes)
--canned cranberry sauce on sale with a coupon is much cheaper and easier than homemade, as compared to making your own cranberry sauce
--frozen turkey is half the cost of fresh turkey, and if you allow 3-4 days to thaw in the refrigerator no one will know the difference.

The Strategy

Have a Plan: The key to saving on groceries is taking time to plan your list and shopping strategy. Believe me, the savings will be worth a little extra planning time. The traditional dishes are the most popular with my family and their ingredients are always the featured sale items at the stores. Sit down and list the dishes you plan to make and the ingredients you will need to buy. Inventory your kitchen to see what you already have on hand and make your list accordingly. Be thorough--you don't want to have to dash to the store on Thanksgiving morning for a forgotten item!

Shop Prices From Home: Review the weekly advertising circulars for all nearby grocery stores to see which stores have the best prices for your items. Each store will feature a few of your items as rock-bottom sale items. It may make sense to spread your shopping between two stores so that you can "cherry-pick" the best deals at each store. Or you can ask your stores if they have a price-matching policy. If one does, you can take the ads from all the stores to the price-matching store to get the lowest available price on every item from one store.

Be Coupon Crazed: Thanksgiving is a grocery coupon bonanza. The coupon circulars in the newspaper have more coupons than usual in this Sunday's issue prior to Thanksgiving. Coupons for common Thanksgiving ingredients abound, such as stuffing mix, baking ingredients, frozen vegetables, gravy, dinner rolls, turkeys and more. You can also print many good grocery coupons online from sites like CouponMom.com. If you shop at a Kroger or a Kroger-owned store, you can take advantage of electronic coupons from Shortcuts.com. In fact, you may be able to find a coupon for every Thanksgiving food item you need to buy!

Save by Substituting: You can also save by avoiding expensive ingredients. For example, instead of using $4 of pecans for our sweet potato casserole topping, I use a crumble topping with oatmeal, butter and brown sugar (from an apple crisp recipe) that costs pennies to make. And I find it is less expensive to bake a pumpkin pie than an apple pie, and much easier for me. Most years I've been able to buy a frozen apple pie on sale with a coupon for less than it would have cost me to make, and my family prefers them to mine!

Stock up on Savings: Take advantage of ultra-bargains right after Thanksgiving and stock up for future meals. If you have the freezer space, buy an extra turkey or two. One year I bought a couple dozen cans of pumpkin for 10 cents each after Thanksgiving and made pumpkin bread, muffins and even pumpkin soup all year.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Stephanie Nelson is the Coupon Mom

Her web site, CouponMom.com, has over 5.5 million members, and she is established as the nation’s top expert in couponing across the country.

Stephanie has been on every major national television talk show and taught millions how to save money for the past 10 years. She appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Today Show, CBS Early Show, CNN, Dr. Oz, The View, The Doctors, Fox Business, NBC Nightly News and has done interviews in all of the Top 20 Television Markets. She was a contributor on Good Morning America for two years and also hosted a 20 episode CouponMom internet series.

She has been called ‘”the rock star of the recession” by the Washington Post and her book, The Coupon Mom’s Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half, is a New York Times best seller.

She has also offered advice to the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Ladies Home Journal, Washington Post, Associated Press, First Magazine, Guidepost, USA Today, MSN.com, AARP, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Family Circle, Reader’s Digest, Parenting, Woman’s World, Quick & Simple, Yahoo.com and AOL.com.

Stephanie holds a degree in finance and has ten years of experience in sales and marketing with both Procter & Gamble and Marriott Hotels. In 2001, she founded her free website www.couponmom.com committed to helping consumers save money and feed the hungry by increasing food donations to hunger organizations with the Cut Out Hunger program

Angels, Mice, Dolls n' Pumpkins

I am just like everyone else and getting ready for Christmas.  Planning gifts for each and everyone of them.  How about you?  Do you know what you need to do yet?  Well maybe a few of the things I have picked out for the grandbabes will help you out too.

  THE LITTLEST ANGEL, a brand new animated feature length film from Anchor Bay, is one of my picks for a Christmas gifts for the grandbabes.  It was released on  DVD shelves for the first time on November 15th!   THE LITTLEST ANGEL takes us on a rousing adventure with a young and sometimes mischievous Angel who must return to earth and earn his wings, a task that doesn’t prove to be easy.  Do you remember reading this one to your lil ones?  I do. It's a perfect holiday film to get your whole family into the spirit of the season!  From the classic book by Charles Tazewell, comes this lively CGI animated version filled with both humor and heart.  Tazewell’s book was adapted into a TV musical in 1969 starring Johnny Whitaker. The author would follow-up with another childhood favorite, "The Littlest Snowman," that would be read annually on the “Captain Kangaroo” show.  I so remember watching "Captain Kangaroo".  It’s a modern twist on the timeless tale of an Angel that discovers the greatest gifts in life are faith, friendship and doing the right thing. This new version of The Littlest Angel features wonderful animation and great vocal talent, including Ron Perlman (I loved him in “Beauty and The Beast), and is sure to become a holiday favorite, much like the book it’s based on. 

Another of my choices is the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Space Adventure.  This is perfect for my middle grandson as it is for the 2 to 5 years of age range.  It invites young viewers to discover outer space and use their problem- solving skills while they watch. In this specific adventure, Mickey and pals head to space where they tour the Moon, Mars and the Rings of Saturn as well as meet new alien friends while on the hunt for a unique space treasure.  He has loved all the other Mickey Mouse Clubhouse shows that I have given him.  So it is nice to add one more to his collection.  Don't you love being able to give quality wholesome entertainment to your kiddos?  I know I do.  My favorite character has always been Minnie, but I am sure it is due to her pretty pink bow.  

And for the Granddaughter you ask?  Well I have the best as it is something that I have a hard time finding.  

Flicka, Ricka, Dicka and Their New Skates- Updated Edition with Paperdolls included.  Yeah, you heard me right.  Paperdolls!  I love the story set in Sweden on Christmas.  For the first time in over thirty years, this classic holiday tale returns, in a deluxe hardcover edition.  I had this same story when I was a lil girl.  My Grandmother was always sending me books and paperdolls.  So to have this together brings back wonderful memories for me.  Longtime fans of the series will delight in revisiting the story, and new readers will find fun and excitement as the girls must save their friend Bertie after an ice-skating disaster.  Maj Lindman (Mrs. Maj Lindman Hulten) lived in Stockholm, Sweden (1886-1972). She attended the Royal Academy of Arts in Stockholm, and also studied art in Paris, France.  And her illustrations were so perfect of the time period.   She wrote and illustrated numerous children's books, but she is best known for her delightful tales of triplet girls Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka and their boy counterparts, Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr.  Did you ever read these?  

I also want to add in Macmillan Young Listeners' Book and CD set collection, Helen Cooper's ultimately endearing tale of friendship between a Cat, Squirrel, and a Duck: PUMPKIN SOUP.  This one makes me think of my own Vanilla Pumpkin Soup that I make.  And how it all comes together best when we are working on it together.  I think the grandbabes will enjoy this as part of our Thanksgiving holiday.  Cooper's luscious illustrations merge beautifully with this musical and animated narration, read by Kathleen McInerney.

This is a great read-along; perfect for a bedtime story and for learning the simple values of friendship and sharing. Deep in the woods in an old white cabin, three friends make their pumpkin soup the same way every day. The Cat slices up the pumpkin, the Squirrel stirs in the water, and the Duck tips in just enough salt. But one day the Duck wants to stir instead, and then there is a horrible squabble, and he leaves the cabin in a huff.   Does this sound like your household?  I know the kiddos love their routine and when it is upset life is hard to get back in balance.  It isn't long before the Cat and the Squirrel start to worry about him and begin a search for their friend. Rendered in pictures richly evoking autumn, Helen Cooper's delightful story will resonate for a child who has known the difficulties that come with friendship. Included at the end is a recipe for delicious pumpkin soup.  It is just not the same as mine....but delicious just the same!

Neighbor's Fire

Guest post of the week by Brittany Booker

A family in my neighborhood recently lost their home to a fire. It was a terrible thing, and our neighborhood has really banded together to help them replace some of the household goods that the fire claimed. The family was out of town and the fire began in the middle of the night; by the time a neighbor noticed and called the fire department, the house was engulfed in flames. I feel terrible for the family, and can’t even imagine having to rebuild my entire home. While they of course have homeowner’s insurance, nothing can replace the photos and other heirlooms they no doubt lost. This has made ourhttp://www.securitychoice.com monitoring service even more of a non-negotiable in my mind. Had the family had an alarm monitoring system, it’s possible a lot of their household goods could have been saved. The monitoring company would have been alerted to the fire and could have contacted the fire department immediately. There’s no telling how much less damage could have been done, but I’m certain the fire would not have raged for as long as it did. No matter where we’re cutting money right now, we will not be cutting out our alarm service.

Surprise Gifts

Do you see me there?  Do you notice anything?  No not that I am beautiful.....the most beautiful....ha ha, you know only Dear Hubby feels that way...as it should be.  But do you notice something else?  Well yeah the necklace is cool, colorful and amazing.  I will tell you about that too.  But is there something else?  Yeah those are the new glasses I told you about.  But that is not it.  And yeah my lip is pierced.  But I told you about that too.  So do you see it yet?  Here let me help.

Yeah there you go.  See the hair?  See the PINK?  Yeah that pretty pink accent to my hair.  Well of course that is my signature color so I know your not surprised.  But did you know this is also tribute hair?  Why of course t is.  I mean who would think I would just go off and color my hair on a whim.  Ha Ha. 

So a tribute you say?  Well yes, this is my hair to celebrate another time spent with Pinky and Bear.  Do you remember them?  I told you about them in The Big Show Stopper.  Now I have had another adventure with them in 'Death is a Cabernet' by Ken Dalton.  Yes, Bear is a big, well bear of a dude....but Pinky in his unbelievable gall is still my favorite.  Gosh don't tell him as he thinks I am only after him for his wine collection.  I have to tell Ken Dalton thank you for sending me a REAL book (not an e-book) to read in my bed as I curled up at night.  It has already gotten well worn with a few wine stains.  But I drank only white wine so it is not bad.  (Hey a girl has to have wine for medicinal purposes to sleep---right?)  I love that it is also autographed just to me.  Pretty cool to be noticed that way.  

Yeah!  Well let me get to it.  I mean tooting my own horn is more of what Pinky does.  I really loved that Flo (Bear's girlfriend) really stepped up and became a stronger force in 'Death'.  She is a great strong, you don't walk on me type of girl.  And even more so when she decides it is time help a dubious lil lady.  I popped on over to a wine country trip while wondering just how Paul ended up in a vat of wine.  Besides ruining a really good Cabernet he made quite a bit of a mess of things but just dying too.  We learned more as Bear and Flo examined the winery while Pinky visited California.  Of course it was great to stay in the bed and bath and have time with old college buddies (cough cough).  You know I am not going to tell you the story.  Or how those beautiful twin blond shells work into the story.  Or even about the flooding river, gun fights or how Flo took over the law office.  You have to read the story to find that out.  But this one is a keeper, would have been even without the autograph.  I had fun once again with Pinky and Bear.  'Death is a Cabernet' is worth a bubble bath, glass of vino and it may even turn your hair Pink.

Now you also saw that beaded necklace.  Yeah, I know you looked at it really close.  Here take another look.  

Beautiful.  Semi precious stones and glass beads with hand tied knots between each bead.  This can be worn as a necklace, bracelet or even a belt.  And all of that is pretty cool in itself.  But there is something that is really amazing about this lil neck-let-belt (okay I made that up).  This is available only through World Vision Gift Catalog.  Yes, you can make the big difference in a life this year.  Now is the time to really get the true spirit of Christmas and give a gift that will help others.  The purchase of the necklace above helps fight the war on human trafficking.  Yes that really does happen.  Selling people to make a profit off of their work and abuse.  Horrid thoughts, but you can help stop that.  

Or you can reach out in other ways.  Give a goat, duck, clean water, education, food and dozens of other ways you can make an impact.  Give a gift of $20 and you can give a rabbit (you know how many babies they can have?), two soccer balls or a meal for a family.  Or give more to help with crops, food, shelter, jobs.....hundreds of ways.  Do not have much money to give?  combine with family, friends or have a World Vision holiday and let everyone give a lil to make a lot.  A holiday cocktail party with a wine jug to collect donations could become your new tradition and way to share.  Make up a way...but more so....look at what a lil will do.  You can follow 'The True Spirit of Christmas on Facebook to see how these gifts really make a difference.

Honor the Veterans

Well today I am getting ready for an afternoon date with Dear Hubby.  It was wonderful of him to call and arrange some time for us to get away.  Of course, I was not at all surprised that it was for a Veteran's Day gathering.  My Dear Hubby is very proud of his time in the Navy as he should be.  I am so honored to have married a man who believes so strong in love of his country.

And in that I wanted to share my special tribute to one such person. We met Matthew when he was in his late teens.  To be honest we did not know where he would end up in life but did not have very high hopes.  He had a harsh up bringing and was a pretty moody young man.  Him and his sister would come for weekend visits with our College Girl (then High School Girl).

Well one such weekend Matthew was pretty down in the dumps.  He really did not wish to return home and to the day to day life he was use too.  We asked him to go ahead and stay a week with us.  Nothing special, just a week away.  We hoped it would give him time to regroup before he returned home.  Often that is all one needs to get a second wind on life.  And sure enough after a week he returned home.  In time we lost track of him, his sister and the group of folks that "High School Girl" was hanging with.  That is the way of life.

Then one day a chat popped up on Facebook.  It was Matthew.  He had found me and wanted to have a chance to talk.  I was so happy to hear from him.  And it was wonderful to catch up with him.  But a wonderful thing happened in the conversation.  Matthew started to thank Dear Hubby and I for that one week.  It seems that was just what he needed.  That one week of what he called 'normal' life (do we really lead a normal life?) helped him start to make plans for his future.  And what grand plans they were.

Matthew joined the military.  Wow...who would have thought it?  He was a trouble young man that pulled his self up by the britches and made a change in his life.  A change that required him to dedicate his life and honor to all of us.  I am so tickled.  Matthew did his tour, went to school and has been working hard every since.  He has met the love of his life and married.  Even getting a son out of the whole deal.  It is a great life.  One full of joy.  Matthew often talks to me on Facebook now.  He shares the day to day events with me.  Telling me of his job, antics and a lil of home life.  He is a great source of joy.  I am thankful for him.  I am thankful for his dedication and service.  I am thankful for his friendship.  But most of all, I am thankful that he felt the desire to serve and followed through on that desire.

Happy Veteran's Day to all those who serve or have served.

The Promise of Deer Run Giveaway

In honor of our upcoming Thanksgiving I wanted to share a post from Elaine Marie Cooper.  She is the author of The Promise of Deer Run.  This is a warm loving story taking place in the 18th century during birth of our nation.  I loved the setting colonial America especially during this season.  Thanksgiving always makes me wonder of our roots, settlers new to a wild world.  And finding hope right around the corner of their new lives.  Life continued on til we had to break away from our apron strings and totally become a nation unto itself.  It is in this setting that Nathaniel and Sarah's story unfolds.  A lil Romeo and Juliet on the the political fore front of the American Revolution.   If you get a chance to read a historical fiction romance then try out The Promise of Deer Run.  And see if it also hits home with you?  Make sure you read through on how to enter the giveaway.  You will love the winning basket.

Grand Prize (Retail Value: $297.38) Contains:

• Basket
• $25 Starbucks gift card  
• Spode Christmas teapot  
• Spode Christmas mugs   
• Yankee candle
• Hardbound copy The Road to Deer Run
• Hardbound copy The Promise of Deer Run 
• Bath and Body Paris Amour scent  

The Promise of Deer Run An Absolutely Charming Tale! Once again, Elaine Marie Cooper pens an absolutely charming tale of eighteenth century Americana. War, no matter the era, takes its toll on both soldiers and families. The Promise of Deer Run is a precious next story following Mary and Daniel’s story in The Road to Deer Run, picking up with Mary’s sister, Sarah a few years down the line. Be sure to read the first book too! As a historian and author, I am grateful to Elaine for her dedication to authenticity.  —Lisa Lickel,  author of A Summer in Oakville About The Promise of Deer Run:  America’s war for freedom from England has been over for seven years, but the wounds of that conflict still haunt the minds and hearts of the residents of Deer Run. Young American veteran Nathaniel Stearns has withdrawn to a life of isolation as he awaits his father who never returned from the war. A near-tragedy in the woods brings Nathaniel face-to-face with nineteen-year-old Sarah Thomsen, someone he had long admired but he assumed had eyes for another. This chance encounter opens a crack into the door of his heart as mutual affection quickly blooms. But slander and lies soon mar the budding romance, rendering both Sarah and Nathaniel wounded and untrusting as their faith in both their God and each other is shattered. Set in 1790, this book continues the story of the Thomsen and Lowe families as they struggle to survive in the aftermath of the war that birthed the United States. The Promise of Deer Run ISBN: 9781462037964            Softcover: $16.95            ISBN: 9781462037971            Hardcover: $26.95            ISBN: 1462037968 E-book: $9.99 Released: August 16, 2011 www.PromiseOfDeerRun.com

Watch the book trailer atwww.PromiseOfDeerRun.com  The Story Behind the Story: How The Deer Run Saga Was Birthed By Elaine Marie Cooper When I was young and first heard that one of my grandfathers had been a Redcoat during the Revolutionary War, I was somewhat embarrassed. Growing up in Massachusetts had made me proud of our country’s heritage. But instead of finding zealous patriots in my bloodline, my DNA was from an enemy soldier named Daniel Prince! Calmer reasoning prevailed, however, as I thought about the reality of his story. Living conditions in Colonial times were difficult, to say the least. It was a frightening period of our history for both Americans and the British. And in the midst of our nation struggling to be birthed, two people on opposing sides in a bloody war met and fell in love. This story from my family’s history was transformed in my thinking into an inspiring one of romance, unhindered by the politics of the day. It became, purely and simply, a love story. And so was birthed the idea to create a fictional account of actual events. Since the story is from my imagination, I opted to change last names, the names of the communities, and many other details of the time. However, many of the historical events are documented facts. The particular information on Daniel Prince’s military background was discovered thanks to the diligent work of Betty Thomson, independent researcher at The National Archives, Kew, in England.  In book one, The Road to Deer Run and now in the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run, I made every effort to stay true to the colonial times. Descriptions of food, homes, clothing, farming, worship practices, medical care, etc. are the result of extensive research. It has been a personally inspiring experience to write these novels. While the times have changed since the 18th century, the same struggles of their day are our own. Forgiveness, fear, pain, illness, despair, the pain of having a family member at war, the death of a loved one—these are all the battles we contend with in the 21st century. But we also share faith, laughter, love, the excitement of that first kiss, the wonder of looking at a newborn. These are the same joys that we share with our ancestors who are so much a part of who we are. Their journeys are interwoven with our own.

About the Author: Elaine Marie Cooper grew up in Massachusetts but now lives in the Midwest with her husband, her three dogs and one huge cat. She has two married sons and triplet grandchildren who are now one years old. The Promise of Deer Run is dedicated to the triplets and to veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.   Elaine has been a magazine freelance writer for many years, and is a regular contributor to a blog on the Midwest calledThe Barn Door and a blog on Christian living calledReflections In Hindsight. She is the author of The Road to Deer Run and the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run. Prior to becoming an author, Elaine worked as a registered nurse. The Road to Deer Run won the following honors: Finalist: 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards  Honorable Mention: 2011 Los Angeles Book Festival Best Romantic Moment: ClashoftheTitles.com, February 2011 Author Elaine Marie Cooper

Grand Prize Valued at $297.38 My readers are to leave comments on how they celebrate Thanksgiving to be entered in this giveaway opportunity. You have until November 18, 2011 to get their comments posted. Over that weekend, I will select one name from my group, to send to KCWC as my finalist.  KCWC will take all the finalists and draw one grand prize winner, to be announced November 21, 2011. Here's what the winner receives:  Grand Prize (Retail Value: $297.38) Contains: Basket $25 Starbucks gift card   Spode Christmas teapot   Spode Christmas mugs    Yankee candle Hardbound copy The Road to Deer Run Hardbound copy The Promise of Deer Run  Bath and Body Paris Amour scent

Thanksgiving in Early America by Elaine Marie Cooper When we sit down at our Thanksgiving meal this month, we’ll be recreating a celebration that is as old as our country: sharing food with loved ones while thanking the God Who has provided the abundance. While we understand that the First Thanksgiving was celebrated here by the Mayflower survivors along with the Indians that had helped them, the first official proclamation that was decreed to celebrate such a holiday was in 1777. It was a recommendation to the thirteen states by the Continental Congress to set aside December 18th that year as a “solemn thanksgiving” to celebrate the first major victory for the Continental troops in the American Revolution: the Battle of Saratoga. The Battle of Saratoga has significant interest for my own family since one of my ancestors was a soldier there. But he was not on the American side—he was a British Redcoat. After surrendering to the Americans, he escaped the line of prisoners and somehow made his way to Massachusetts and into the life and heart of my fourth great-grandmother. *SIGH* L’amour! This family story was the inspiration for my Deer Run Saga that begins in 1777 with The Road to Deer Run. There is an elaborate Thanksgiving meal scene in this novel as well as in the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run. Some may wonder why such detail was afforded this holiday in my novels set in Massachusetts, while Christmas is barely mentioned. The reason is simple: Thanksgiving was the major holiday in the northern colonies, with Christmas considered nothing more special than a workday. According to Jack Larkin in his book, The Reshaping of Everyday Life, “The Puritan founders of New England and the Quaker settlers of Pennsylvania had deliberately abolished (holidays) as unscriptural.” But Thanksgiving was begun as a way to give thanks to God for His provision. It usually began with attending church services in the morning, followed by an elaborate feast in the afternoon. The food for this meal was prepared for weeks in advance. Since the individual state governors chose their own date to celebrate the holiday, it was theoretically possible for some family members—if they lived in close proximity—to celebrate multiple Thanksgiving meals with family and friends across state borders. The dates chosen could be anywhere from October to December, according to Dennis Picard, Director of the Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Chicken was most commonly served, said Picard, as it was readily available in the barnyard. And the oldest woman in the home had the honor of slicing the fowl for dinner. Pies were made well in advance of the holiday and stored and became frozen in dresser drawers in unheated rooms. “I like the idea of pulling out a dresser drawer for, say, a clean pair of socks, and finding mince pies,” said Picard, tongue in cheek. Indeed! Have a BLESSED Thanksgiving! Author Bio

Elaine Marie Cooper Elaine Marie Cooper grew up in Massachusetts but now lives in the Midwest with her husband, her three dogs and one huge cat. She has two married sons and triplet grandchildren who are now one years old. The Promise of Deer Run is dedicated to the triplets and to veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.Elaine has been a magazine freelance writer for many years, and is a regular contributor to a blog on the Midwest called The Barn Door (www.thebarndoor.net) and a blog on Christian living called Reflections In Hindsight (ReflectionsInHindsight.wordpress.com). She is the author of The Road to Deer Run and the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run. Prior to becoming an author, Elaine worked as a registered nurse.