Monday, March 11, 2024

Tuesday Tidbits: QUILTING: AN EXTREME SPORT

A Mini Quilt made by ME

I’ve been sewing since I was in first grade. I ran my mom’s sewing machine at top speed, much to the consternation of my dad. “Slow down!” My reply was always, “If it’s not supposed to go this fast, then why did they make it able to go this fast.” Though I sewed as speedy as possible, I never thought of sewing as dangerous. That was until I read these stories where wildlife and quilting came together.


~~~This first story took place in Georgia in 1885. A group of ladies decided to bring a shy bachelor out of his shell and planned a quilting at his house. Well, he was no dummy and outsmarted them by escaping to the far side of his property. Unfortunately for him, he was chased back home by a vicious coach-whip snake that had sunk its fangs into the back of his coat. “He fell into the yard, when one of the girls rescued him and killed the snake.” I wonder if she snagged his heart as well. (Story originally in Marion Daily Star, Marion, Ohio, April 7, 1885, page 1)

I had never heard of this type of snake, so I looked it up. They are supposed to be one of the fastest snakes, reaching speeds of four miles per hour.

 
~~~Story number two happened in Kentucky in 1888. Some ladies gathered at a home that was a lean-to of sorts built against a mountain cliff. While the ladies quilted downstairs, the children played upstairs. The ladies heard a heavy thump but dismissed it as the children. Immediately, the children screamed and tumbled down the ladder from the loft. After the children, a big black bear popped his head through the opening—with a torn piece of clothing in its mouth from the last child down—and promptly somersaulted down. He had apparently lost his footing on the cliff above the house and fell through the roof.

The younger women screamed and ran for the door. The older women had steadier nerves and seized the children. The bear went to the kitchen for the savory meal cooking there and burned his nose. Meanwhile, the lady of the house grabbed her husband’s rifle from the smokehouse, poked it through the window, and shot the bear dead.

Even with the uninvited bear’s alarming arrival, the quilting wasn’t permanently dispersed, and the women gathered once again. The man of the house returned soon after the kerfuffle for lunch. He skinned the bear, and “. . . some of the choicest steaks graced the dinner Mrs. Holiday spread at her quilting.” What a woman! (Story originally in The Landmark, Statesville, North Carolina, November 22, 1888, page 1)


~~~Now on to North Carolina in 1889 for the third story. A man decided to take his pet raccoon to a quilting. The women were plying their needles to fabric when the coon ran inside covered in bees. (He had a sweet tooth for honey, and the bees were none too happy.) In his flight from danger, the coon dashed under the quilt. “…the chairs flew, and the dresses flapped and such a dancing was never seen before.” I guess this was a literal quilting bee. LOL! (Story originally in The Landmark, Statesville, North Carolina, July 4, 1889, page 4)

Apparently, quilting is far more dangerous than I ever imagined. Even though I was a daredevil with a sewing machine, that was the extent of my bravado. Stabbing myself with a needle was never fun but was, thankfully, the worst I had to worry about. I never realized this chicken girl participated in an “extreme sport.” 


THE QUILTING CIRCLE SERIES Box Set

Historical Romance Series

By Mary Davis

THE WIDOW’S PLIGHT (Book1) – Will a secret clouding a single mother’s past cost Lily her loved ones?

THE DAUGHTER’S PREDICAMENT (Book2) *SELAH & WRMA Finalist* – As Isabelle’s romance prospects turn in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams.

THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (Book3) *SELAH Winner* – Nicole heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband. Can she learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?

THE DÉBUTANTE’S SECRET (Book4) – Complications arise when a fancy French lady steps off the train and into Deputy Montana’s arms.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNZPRRS2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3NJNTQ5SD1WGB&keywords=the+quilting+circle+by+mary+davis&qid=1700957455&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C155&sr=1-7

 

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a SELAH Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT, THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:
Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub
 

Resource: Quiltings, Frolicks & Bees: 100 Years of Signature Quilts by Sue Reich





Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Tuesday Tidbits: QUILTING SNIPPETS

As long as there have been women in reasonable proximity, there have been gatherings of one kind or another. Whether it was collecting water at the well, going to market, congregating at the river to wash laundry, or charity projects, women have come together.

While researching one topic or another, I ran across a book in the library about antique quilts and the gatherings (often called quiltings) that took place to create them. Throughout the book, the author quoted various newspaper articles about these socializing events. I found some of them fascinating and others humorous, so I thought I’d share a few.

I wonder if some eager young ladies purposefully sewed slowly.

Some sage advice

Mitchell Daily Republican, Mitchel, South Dakota July 1, 1886, page 4 

It is entirely unfair for a man to sneer at a woman’s inability to understand a baseball game until he has proven his own ability to grapple with the mysteries of a crazy quilt social.—Fall River Advance”

Shhhhh! The deafening sound of silence. 

Ingenious men in California and Illinois succeeded where, for centuries, others have failed. They devised a way to get women to stop talking! 

In 1883 in California, a senator “offered the Lady’s Aid Society, $5 if they would make a quilt without speaking a word. Twenty-three ladies met…, made the quilt and earned the money in two hours.” 

In Illinois in 1899, three men offered the fifteen members of the Ladies’ Aid society $1 a piece for their society to sew without talking. In the August heat, they worked for three weary hours without speaking a word. They used signs and nods to make their needs known. The impressed men doubled their contribution. This silent quilting event was touted as a world record.


This one really piqued my interest.

“Bachelors at a Quilting” — In 1883 in New Jersey, bachelors of a church congregation were convinced to produce a quilt. The date was set and a ten cent admission fee was charge for spectators. The men labored for several hours before the ladies came to their rescue and completed the quilt. “Among the bachelor quilters were a railroad man, a printer, two brick manufacturers, and no tailor.”

I knew I needed to use that idea in a story at some point and let it percolate in the back of my mind until . . . it spawned one of the threads in The Lady’s Mission (The Quilting Circle 5). It was so much fun to explore this idea.

Another bachelor-type quilt was a sort of trade. In 1888 in Connecticut, the young people of a church decided to help replenish the church’s treasury. The men pieced together a bed quilt in front of a large crowd that had paid ten cents for the privilege of watching the men perspire over the quilt.

A few days later, an equally large crowd gathered to watch the ladies saw wood. Ten pretty maidens sawed a half-cord of wood into stove-sized pieces. The young men sang to the ladies as they sawed and sawed then succeeded! I need to use this one in a story as well.

It seems various ladies’ organizations came together to create quilts to raise money for one cause or another, whether it was something needed for their church building, a quilt to welcome their new pastor, a family in need, or to support one war or another and provide for soldiers. They worked hard to raise money and help others.

DNA is a powerful thing. Women have always sought out like-minded others with which to socialize, and their busy hands accomplished great things.


THE LADY’S MISSION (Quilting Circle 5)
2023 SELAH Award Finalist

Will Cordelia abandon her calling for love? Cordelia Armstrong wants nothing more than to escape the social norms for her station in society. Unless she can skillfully maneuver her father into giving up control of her trust fund, she might have to concede defeat—as well as her freedom—and marry. Every time Lamar Kesner finds a fascinating lady, her heart belongs to another. When a vapid socialite is offered up as a prospective bride, he contemplates flying off in his hot air balloon instead. Is Lamar the one to finally break the determination of Cordelia’s parents to marry her off? Or will this charming bachelor fly away with her heart?

Available for order on Amazon.


THE QUILTING CIRCLE SERIES Box Set

Historical Romance Series

By Mary Davis

THE WIDOW’S PLIGHT (Book1) – Will a secret clouding a single mother’s past cost Lily her loved ones?

THE DAUGHTER’S PREDICAMENT (Book2) *SELAH & WRMA Finalist* – As Isabelle’s romance prospects turn in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams.

THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (Book3) *SELAH Winner* – Nicole heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband. Can she learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?

THE DÉBUTANTE’S SECRET (Book4) – Complications arise when a fancy French lady steps off the train and into Deputy Montana’s arms.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNZPRRS2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3NJNTQ5SD1WGB&keywords=the+quilting+circle+by+mary+davis&qid=1700957455&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C155&sr=1-7

 

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a SELAH Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT, THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:
Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub
 

Source:
Quiltings, Frolicks & Bees: 100 Years of Signature Quilts by Sue Reich

Monday, January 8, 2024

Tuesday Tidbits: Writing Goals: 2023 Recap & 2024 Goals

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was great. Our daughter and son-in-law flew in and our son, daughter-in-law, and three grandkiddos were all here for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Though a bit chaotic with so many in our little house, it was so wonderful to have everyone together for Christmas for the first time in eight years.

On to goals—

Some people don’t like setting goals because they feel too confining and too much pressure. For me, they help me focus, and I have something to aim for. Like the old saying goes, Shoot for the stars (or moon). You might not make it there, but you will soar higher than if you had never tried. (I couldn’t find a specific author for this variation, but it’s close to Norman Vincent Peale’s quote “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” So, I guess this version is mine, Mary Davis.)

Each goal should have the caveat attached to the end . . . “Stated goal” or something better.

So, how did I do on my 2023 goals? Overall, I’m pleased. Here is a quick recap.

2023 Goals
~~ I will Proofread & Publish 1st-Cousin-Once-Removed Mary Linn’s Novel.
    I proofread and polished this, but I didn’t get it published. I’m waiting on a photo of Mary Linn from her sister. I could have published without it, but I really want her picture with her bio. So, I’ll wait little longer.
~~ I will Write 100,000-ish words or more.
    I didn’t quite reach this one with moving, trying to unpack, and playing with my grandchildren. However, I’m pleased to have written 85,151, which includes a 50k rough draft of book 2 in my time travel series. Playing with grands was the something better. =0)
~~ I will Finish Writing Silver Bells, a Christmas Novella.
    Nope, 2023 was again not my year to finally complete this novella. But I’m more hopeful for 2024.
~~ I will Participate in NaNoWriMo in November.
    I met this goal, writing over 50k, and also participated in CampNaNoWriMo in April and July.
~~ I will Complete a Proposal.
    I didn’t complete a proposal with moving and changing agents, because mine had to step away from being an agent due to family stuff.
~~ I will Complete HHH Posts by the 10th of Each Month.
    I met this one.

Non-writing goals:
~~I will Read Through the Bible in 2023.

    I met this goal early, December 4th. Quite an accomplishment for this dyslexic gal.
~~I will Continue trying to get regular exercise by walking or running up and down the stairs as well as continuing Intermittent Fasting.
    I met this goal.

My goal to move closer to my son and grandchildren is a reality, and I’m loving it! However, my related goal to go through all the boxes did not happen. It has turned out to be an overwhelming task. But at least the upstairs is looking respectable.

My word of the year was the prefix: “Re”. Rework. Republish. Re-edit. Rewrite. Reuse. Recycle. Repurpose. Reimagine. Revisit. Recharge. Relax. And other “re” words. I think I hit about half of them. Unpacking boxes, making the main level livable, and spending time with my son and grands took precedence.

On to 2024 Goals
~~ I will Publish 1st-Cousin-Once-Removed Mary Linn’s Novel with or without a photo of her.
    I want to get this published even if I have to do it without the photo. Now that the holidays are over, I’ll contact her sister for the photo. She’s having trouble figuring out how to send it.
~~ I will Write 100,000-ish words or more.
    I’m working on my Christmas novella and want to write a rough draft of book 3 in my time travel series this year. Then maybe I can get back to the treasure hunting series I didn’t finish. After that there are so many unfinished novels and novellas that I have proposed over the years that I would like to revisit. It will be hard to choose, but I might get back to additional books in my Quilting Circle series. Time will tell.
~~ I WILL Finish Writing Silver Bells, a Christmas Novella.
    I’m going to take this to my critique group this year, so hopefully that will keep me working on it.
~~ I will Participate in NaNoWriMo in November.
    This is the same as last year. NaNoWriMo stands for NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth. Each year in November, thousands of writers all over the world make a mad dash to write 50,000 words in 30 days. My goal says “participate” not win. If I write 50,000 words or less than 50,000 words, I can still meet this goal by participating. I will also participate in CampNaNoWriMo in April and July. By setting your own goal, those are low pressure and a lot of fun. A good way to get started with NaNoWriMo.
~~ I will Complete a Proposal.
    I need to finish up my time travel series proposal, then I want to take another look at my bride series proposal to see if I want to finish it up. Then look at completing another proposal. So hopefully 3 proposals this year, but at least one.
~~ I will Complete HHH Posts by the 10th of Each Month.
    I want to continue this one. I contribute to the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog (HHH) once a month on the 23rd. It’s a lot less stressful to have posts completed early. Right now, I’m actually a few months ahead and would like to continue to be.

Non-writing goals:
~~I will Do a Bible study on the book of Revelation and one on the Holy Spirit.
    I had thought for most of 2023 that I would read through the Bible again this year, but there are these two Bible studies that are niggling at my heart to do.

~~I will Continue trying to get regular exercise by walking or by running up and down the stairs as well as continuing Intermittent Fasting.

And finally, I will Continue to go through boxes. It has been an overwhelming task. I want to get my craft room put together and arranged so I can start using it. It is still a heap of boxes. I’m itching to get down there and create.

My word for 2024? I don’t always do this, but I have a few times. I was thinking I wouldn’t have one in 2024, but then I did. This year, it didn’t come in a rush or hit me all at once. It sort of slowly crept in and whispered to me from a distance. My word is Release. I have no clue what that will entail. It could be one or more things I need to release (I have many) or something I will be released from. Perhaps even a new book release. Whatever it may be, I look forward to seeing how the Lord will work this into my life in 2024.

Do you have a word for 2024?

I hope you all are successful in meeting your goals in 2024. =0)

And I pray this year is happy and healthy, and may you find joy in the little things. =0)

For more information on how to set achievable, measurable, and controllable goals, you can reference my blog post on it HERE.

 

THE QUILTING CIRCLE SERIES Box Set

Historical Romance Series

By Mary Davis

THE WIDOW’S PLIGHT (Book1) – Will a secret clouding a single mother’s past cost Lily her loved ones?

THE DAUGHTER’S PREDICAMENT (Book2) *SELAH & WRMA Finalist* – As Isabelle’s romance prospects turn in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams.

THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (Book3) *SELAH Winner* – Nicole heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband. Can she learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?

THE DÉBUTANTE’S SECRET (Book4) – Complications arise when a fancy French lady steps off the train and into Deputy Montana’s arms.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNZPRRS2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3NJNTQ5SD1WGB&keywords=the+quilting+circle+by+mary+davis&qid=1700957455&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C155&sr=1-7

 

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a SELAH Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT, THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:
Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub

 

Monday, December 11, 2023

I COULD REALLY USE YOUR HELP

My publisher is asking me again to get reviews for this boxed set. They need reviews to be able to purchase certain ads. If you have read any of the books in this collection, would you please consider leaving a review for it on Amazon, BookBub, and/or GoodReads. It is not necessary for you to have read them all. Merely review whatever one you have read. Even if you copy and paste from a previous review you posted. This industry revolves around reviews. Thank you sooooo much!

Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/Quilting-Circle-Box-Set-ebook/dp/B0CNZPRRS2

I’m so excited that my publisher decided to release books 1-4 of my The Quilting Circle series in a boxed set.

It is aptly titled The Quilting Circle Series.


Here is an overview:
Book 1: The Widow's Plight
When Lily Lexington Bremmer arrives in Kamola with her young son, she’s reluctant to join the social center of her new community, the quilting circle, but the friendly ladies pull her in. She begins piecing a sunshine and shadows quilt because it mirrors her life. She has a secret that lurks in the shadows and hopes it doesn’t come out into the light. Will her secrets cast shadows on her bright future?

Widower Edric Hammond and his father are doing their best to raise his two young daughters. He meets Lily and her son when they arrive in town and helps her find a job and a place to live. Lily resists Edric’s charms at first, but finds herself falling in love with this kind, gentle man and his two darling daughters. Lily has stolen his heart with her first warm smile, but he’s cautious about bringing another woman into his girls’ lives due to the harshness of their own mother. Can Edric forgive Lily her past to take hold of a promising chance at love?

Book 2: The Daughter's Predicament
As Isabelle Atwood’s romance prospects are turning in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams. While making a quilt for her hope chest, Isabelle’s half-sister becomes pregnant out of wedlock and Isabelle--always the unfavored daughter--becomes the family sacrifice to save face. Despite gaining the attention of a handsome rancher, her parents are pressuring her to marry a man of their choosing to rescue her sister’s reputation.

A third suitor waits silently in the wings, hoping for his chance at love. Isabelle ends up with three marriage proposals. A handsome rancher, a stranger, and an unseen suitor are all waiting for an answer. Isabelle loves her sister, but will she really allow herself to be manipulated into a marriage without love?

Book 3: The Damsel's Intent
Nicole Waterby has lived her whole life in the hills due to her grandfather’s mistrust of people. But now he’s passed away, and Nicole is left to care for her two younger cousins. Feeling inadequate, she heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband. She doesn’t realize women don’t wear trousers, buckskins, or carry a gun. She has a lot to learn about being a lady if she’s going to catch a husband. And the quilting circle is just the group of women to help her.

Rancher Shane Keegan has drifted from one location to another to find a place to belong. He longs to have a family of his own but feels doomed to live a life alone. When Nicole crosses his path, he wonders if he can have love, but he soon realizes she’s destined for someone better than a saddle tramp. Even though he knows there’s no future for him with the intriguing mountain girl, he still steps in to help her at every opportunity. Will love stand a chance while both Nicole and Shane try to be people they are not?

Book 4: The Débutante’s Secret
Geneviève Marseille, a French socialite, has only one purpose in coming to Kamola—stopping her brother from digging up the past. Kamola is so different from her beloved Paris that she is tempted to abort her mission, but the kindness of a handsome deputy tempers her desire to flee.

Deputy Montana has lived a simple life. But when a fancy French lady steps off the train and into his arms, his modest existence might not be enough anymore. Even though he’s warned he can have no future with Miss Marseille because her grandparents would never accept him, he is drawn to her at every turn. Can he make himself worthy of her?
Mystery surrounds Aunt Henny. She is aunt to all but related to no one in Kamola. When a nemesis from her past arrives, she must decide whether to flee, or stand her ground in the town she’s made her home and risk going to jail. When secrets come out, will the lives of Geneviève, Montana, and Aunt Henny ever be the same?

HAPPY READING!!!


Monday, November 27, 2023

Tuesday Tidbits: NEW RELEASE!

I’m so excited that my publisher decided to release books 1-4 of my The Quilting Circle series in a boxed set.

It is aptly titled The Quilting Circle Series.

If any of you have read even one of the books in this series, my publisher would greatly appreciate it if you would go to Amazon and leave a review. They need to have a certain number of reviews before they can try for an ad on BookBub. Even if you copy and paste from a previous review you did. Thank you sooooo much!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNZPRRS2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3NJNTQ5SD1WGB&keywords=the+quilting+circle+by+mary+davis&qid=1700957455&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C155&sr=1-7

Here is an overview:
Book 1: The Widow's Plight
When Lily Lexington Bremmer arrives in Kamola with her young son, she’s reluctant to join the social center of her new community, the quilting circle, but the friendly ladies pull her in. She begins piecing a sunshine and shadows quilt because it mirrors her life. She has a secret that lurks in the shadows and hopes it doesn’t come out into the light. Will her secrets cast shadows on her bright future?

Widower Edric Hammond and his father are doing their best to raise his two young daughters. He meets Lily and her son when they arrive in town and helps her find a job and a place to live. Lily resists Edric’s charms at first, but finds herself falling in love with this kind, gentle man and his two darling daughters. Lily has stolen his heart with her first warm smile, but he’s cautious about bringing another woman into his girls’ lives due to the harshness of their own mother. Can Edric forgive Lily her past to take hold of a promising chance at love?

Book 2: The Daughter's Predicament
As Isabelle Atwood’s romance prospects are turning in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams. While making a quilt for her hope chest, Isabelle’s half-sister becomes pregnant out of wedlock and Isabelle--always the unfavored daughter--becomes the family sacrifice to save face. Despite gaining the attention of a handsome rancher, her parents are pressuring her to marry a man of their choosing to rescue her sister’s reputation.

A third suitor waits silently in the wings, hoping for his chance at love. Isabelle ends up with three marriage proposals. A handsome rancher, a stranger, and an unseen suitor are all waiting for an answer. Isabelle loves her sister, but will she really allow herself to be manipulated into a marriage without love?

Book 3: The Damsel's Intent
Nicole Waterby has lived her whole life in the hills due to her grandfather’s mistrust of people. But now he’s passed away, and Nicole is left to care for her two younger cousins. Feeling inadequate, she heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband. She doesn’t realize women don’t wear trousers, buckskins, or carry a gun. She has a lot to learn about being a lady if she’s going to catch a husband. And the quilting circle is just the group of women to help her.

Rancher Shane Keegan has drifted from one location to another to find a place to belong. He longs to have a family of his own but feels doomed to live a life alone. When Nicole crosses his path, he wonders if he can have love, but he soon realizes she’s destined for someone better than a saddle tramp. Even though he knows there’s no future for him with the intriguing mountain girl, he still steps in to help her at every opportunity. Will love stand a chance while both Nicole and Shane try to be people they are not?

Book 4: The Débutante’s Secret
Geneviève Marseille, a French socialite, has only one purpose in coming to Kamola—stopping her brother from digging up the past. Kamola is so different from her beloved Paris that she is tempted to abort her mission, but the kindness of a handsome deputy tempers her desire to flee.

Deputy Montana has lived a simple life. But when a fancy French lady steps off the train and into his arms, his modest existence might not be enough anymore. Even though he’s warned he can have no future with Miss Marseille because her grandparents would never accept him, he is drawn to her at every turn. Can he make himself worthy of her?
Mystery surrounds Aunt Henny. She is aunt to all but related to no one in Kamola. When a nemesis from her past arrives, she must decide whether to flee, or stand her ground in the town she’s made her home and risk going to jail. When secrets come out, will the lives of Geneviève, Montana, and Aunt Henny ever be the same?

HAPPY READING!!!

Monday, November 13, 2023

Tuesday Tidbits: FROM WENCE DID THE CRANBERRY COME & “RECIPE”

Cranberry sauce from a can or made fresh? Which do you serve? I always served from a can, until my daughter started taking culinary classes in high school and asked if she could make fresh cranberry sauce. It was delicious. So when she’s around, we have fresh cranberry sauce goodness. When it’s just me cooking, I wield the can opener. It wasn’t until 1912 that we could have this commercially processed goodness, but cranberries were popular long before they were canned.

Cranberries are one of the few fruits native to North American and were a staple for the Native Americans. The Lenni-lenape called them Pakim meaning bitter berry. They were a symbol of peace and friendship. The Chippewas word for them is a’ni-bimin, the Narragansetts’ is sasemineash, and the Algonquin referred to them as atoqua. The fruit was used for a variety of things, like remedies, foods, drinks, and fabric dyes. They used them in an energy-bar type of food called pemmican.

Early American settlers called them “craneberries” because the flower resembled the head of a sand crane. It is said that the Pilgrims were given them at the first Thanksgiving. Each year, one-fifth of all harvested cranberries are eaten on Thanksgiving.

Back in the day, barrels of cranberries were kept aboard clipper ships to help prevent scurvy.

There are many references and mentions of cranberries from 1550 through the present, with cranberry dishes showing up in cookbook after cookbook. Barrels of berries and plants were shipped back to England, and cranberry dishes became as delicacy in some parts of Europe. The Harvard University commencement dinner in 1703 served cranberries.

Revolutionary War veteran Captain Henry Hall came across wild cranberries on Cape Cod and became the first person to successfully cultivate them. The commercial cultivation of these tart berries started in 1816 in the U. S.

Attorney Marcus L. Urann revolutionized the cranberry industry when he bought a cranberry bog and canned the fruit in 1912. In time, he established a cranberry cooperative that went on to be renamed Ocean Spray. By 1940, he had canned the gelatinous log of cranberry sauce we know and love today.

What is your favorite cranberry dish?

Mine is what I call Cranberry Delight. Basically, chocolate covered fresh cranberries.

They are simple to make. Wash the cranberries and allow them to dry completely. Melt any kind of candy coating chocolate. Coat a handful of cranberries at a time and put them on wax paper to cool until the chocolate hardens. My favorite is white chocolate. The tartness of the cranberry with the sweetness of the chocolate is oh so tasty. You can read my more in-depth directions and see pictures HERE

Happy Thanksgiving!

Do you prefer your cranberry sauce with or without chunks?

 

MRS. WITHERSPOON GOES TO WAR (Heroines of WWII series)
2023 SELAH Award 3rd Place in Historical Romance

A WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) flies a secret mission to rescue three soldiers held captive in Cuba.

Margaret “Peggy” Witherspoon is a thirty-four-year-old widow, mother of two daughters, an excellent pilot, and very patriotic. She joins the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). As she performs various tasks like ferry aircraft, transporting cargo, and being an airplane mechanic, she meets and develops feelings for her supervisor Army Air Corp Major Howie Berg. When Peggy learns of U.S. soldiers being held captive in Cuba, she, Major Berg, and two fellow WASPs devise an unsanctioned mission to rescue them. With Cuba being an ally in the war, they must be careful not to ignite an international incident. Order HERE!

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET

(Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a Selah Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; The Widow’s Plight, The Daughter's Predicament, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection , Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.
Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:


Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub

Sources:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/brief-history-cranberries-180957399/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cranberry
https://www.cranberrycreations.com/history-of-cranberries
See it grow: CRANBERRY, by Jackie Lee, Bearport Publishing, 2016
 

Monday, October 23, 2023

Tuesday Tidbits: GARDEN UPDATE

Were my various gardens successes or not?

The outcomes are mixed.

I’ll start with the veggies and fruits.

Beans: I harvested six or seven, but considering that is the most beans I’ve ever grown, I’m counting it a success.

Peas: Not a one, so they were a fail. But I will try again next year.

Zucchini: Harvested four or five. WhooHoo! Success!

Yellow summer squash: Two harvested. Calling that a success.

Tomatoes: I got a dozen or more of tasty red gems. Success!

Strawberries: One. =0( The one a picked was good, but this has to go in the fail column.

Also in the fail column are the herbs, green onions, and chives that never grew.

Can you tell my bar for success was quite low? I’m just tickled that this black-thumb gardener-wanna-be harvested any edibles at all.

On to the flowers.

My flower garden patch did well. I’m very pleased with it. I was even happier when I weeded a final time (like the fifth time) and put down landscape fabric and mulch. That kept the weed at bay so I could enjoy the flowers. What I planted lived and the handful of things I didn’t pull up as weeds grew into some pretty flowers.

This bright reddish-orange one that the butterflies like, the daisy-ish one in the middle, the columbine (which bloomed early spring and then again in late summer. Yippee!), and some none blooming plants. Conclusion: Flower bed was a huge success!

Bushes: They survived, but I wouldn’t say they thrived. So, only a success in the fact they didn’t die.

However, the lavender I thought I killed early on but kept watering just in case, LIVES! When I weeded for the last time before putting down fabric and mulch, I discovered it was regrowing from the roots. I did break off half of it in the application of the fabric placement, but it has done well since.

We have planted three trees (three more to go). I’ll need to wait and see how they fair during the winter and if they are still alive in the spring.

Overall, I am happy with my gardens I planted by the seat of my pants in this new environment (new state that is dry and arid), so this was a success. I look forward to planting gardens again and to see how much I get to actually grow.

I’m going to plant things in different areas next year. Hopefully, we will have our fence up and won’t have to worry about the deer who roam through our yard. Where I planted the beans, peas, zucchini, and yellow squash, I want to plant raspberry and blueberry bushes next year. On the other side of the house, we want to build raised vegetable beds so we don’t have to bend over so far or sit on the ground to weed or harvest.

I also hope to acquire some rhubarb plants. I tried and tried to get some but was never successful. So, I had to settle for buying some stalks at the grocery store so I could make rhubarb pie. That’s when I discovered that one of the sensors in my oven doesn’t work. It took nearly an hour to “preheat”. Even then, it wasn’t really heated enough. It took over two hours to cook a pie that should have taken forty-five minutes or so. But the pie was mmm-mmm good! Hubby got a sensor and is going to replace it when he has time.

This year, I had no real plan and planted things haphazardly. I will make some sketches this winter so I can implement them come spring.

If you garden, I hope what you planted was fruitful and made you happy!

HAPPY GARDENING!

Oh, one more update. This is our foster cat, Tootsie. She is 15 years old, has kidney disease, and is mostly blind. Why, pray tell are we fostering a kitty with so many problems? She is a sweetie, and her issues don’t manifest in any way. She has special food for her kidneys, runs around the house as though she can see perfectly well, and doesn’t act old. We, also, didn’t want her to live out her golden years in a shelter.

Isn't she pretty!

Now, I’m off to sand the deck so we can get it protected before the snow flies next week. I tried power washing the flaking paint, but it didn’t get enough of the old stuff off. So, now we sand so we can repaint. Ugh. Then I can get back to refinishing a few small pieces of furniture.

MRS. WITHERSPOON GOES TO WAR (Heroines of WWII series)
2023 SELAH Award 3rd Place in Historical Romance

A WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) flies a secret mission to rescue three soldiers held captive in Cuba.

Margaret “Peggy” Witherspoon is a thirty-four-year-old widow, mother of two daughters, an excellent pilot, and very patriotic. She joins the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). As she performs various tasks like ferry aircraft, transporting cargo, and being an airplane mechanic, she meets and develops feelings for her supervisor Army Air Corp Major Howie Berg. When Peggy learns of U.S. soldiers being held captive in Cuba, she, Major Berg, and two fellow WASPs devise an unsanctioned mission to rescue them. With Cuba being an ally in the war, they must be careful not to ignite an international incident. Order HERE!

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET
(Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a Selah Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; The Widow’s Plight, The Daughter's Predicament, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection , Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.
Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:


Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub

 

Tuesday Tidbits: QUILTING: AN EXTREME SPORT

A Mini Quilt made by ME I’ve been sewing since I was in first grade. I ran my mom’s sewing machine at top speed, much to the consternation o...