Book Review - FALL - and a contest!

Okay - being acquainted with many writers (since I'm a writer...ya know...lol) I get the opportunity sometimes of reading and reviewing new published authors.  I get that privilege today.  I just finished a book by Jennifer Hurst, and man, it's a change of pace for sure.


Fall is not your typical romance, thriller or fantasy.  It's kind of like a horror movie and romance mixed into one...but I'm not sure I am doing it justice.  If you're into fantasy type stuff, with a religious edge, you'll love it.
Jennifer has a blog, so you might want to check it out.


I was pulled into the story by the unique twist.  I don't usually read books about angels or demons, so it was quite the change for me.  I wouldn't recommend it for the younger reader - the subject matter is not for youth. But otherwise, definitely something to read.


If you're into ebooks, there is a version of that too that you  might want to look into.  Here's the site to go to.


Anyway - good read.  Go find a copy and don't turn the lights off.

Along with that, the author is having a contest. Below is a list of questions about the book.  Answer the questions for a chance to win a mention in the sequel!  The more blogs you read about this book, the more you can enter your name, thus increasing your chances of winning the gift certificate, a copy of the book FALL, and your name in the sequel.

Get the book, read the book, and then read over the questions below.  Once you have your answers, e-mail them to Jennifer.  fall.jenniferhurst@gmail.com

Your privacy is respected and your email address will NOT be used for anything but the contest.   Once the contest is over - your email address will be deleted from the database.

Here are the questions for you to answer:

What does JD stand for?

What were the inscriptions on the wedding bands?

Who is Roy Parker's father?

If you would like to visit the other sites, go here for the master list of all participating sites:  http://fallbyjenniferhurst.wordpress.com/

Best of luck, and thanks for participating!

Bringing Leaves Inside

The beauty of leaves can be something enjoyed inside your home. There are many ways to do this, and that is what I was going to talk about the last time when I was looking up leaf art. I was really amazed to discover that there was actual leaf art -- but that was then, we are on today.

One of the first things everyone thinks of is a wreath. The picture above is the one on my door. It happens to be silk, but I've done the same thing with real leaves before. My sister-in-law has grape vines, and while it takes some work, it's fun to see how they turn out.

You can also make placemats with them. Take a sheet of construction paper, the leaves you want to use, and wax paper. You put the wax paper on each side of the construction paper with the leaves arranged how you want and then iron the whole thing. It's not long lasting or permanent, but it's fun for kids.

I've also seen the leaves by themselves ironed in the wax paper and hung on strings in the window. You can get the foam rings and fill them with leaves (poking the stem in) and use them as candle rings or centerpieces, or even a wreath that way. It's also fun to make rubbings of them -- make several and make a collage.

I have a lamp that is an empty Mason jar which has the bottom come out so it can be filled with objects. I'm tempted to fill it with leaves to have them in my room and add their glow to the light.

We have a huge maple tree in our front yard that just glows this time of year. The leaves are a rich mixture of yellow/green/gold and rust. The tree is right outside our bedroom window, and it's as if the window glows on the inside. It's gorgeous.

It doesn't have to be a fancy or big thing, it's easy to enjoy nature's beauty and art in your life. Just bring it inside.


Return to the Neighborhood

It's Friday!

And the skys are clear...Is that a song? I'm not sure, but it worked. grin. I love watching the geese fly in, all in formation and land in the fields behind our home -- much later than usual, so I guess the rumor is true that it's going to be a light winter, sigh.

I love watching the sum come up from my window, it helps remind me how grateful I am for everything -- especially living where I do. It's hard to drive past all the new developments, knowing that they are ruining the landscape that once was. What amazes me is that they have people that move into these places...I keep wondering where these people are all coming from!!:) I know, California! lol

Anyway, about got caught up with words yesterday, and finally came up with a title! It's going to be The Hibiscus Ladies. I know, it doesn't roll off your tongue, but it works with the book. grin

So, word count is 29380, and we are moving upward and onward! Isn't life great?

Apples, Apples Everywhere, and Lots of Them for Me!

Well, now that we've had a few days of cooler weather, the apples are really coming on. We helped my brother pick some from his tree last week, but now we need to pick ours. I'm ways excited for applesauce and apple juice. Our applesauce is the best because we don't add sugar. I look forward to making juice, because last year we did a wassail base that was just wonderful -- our kids wanted to drink all of it before we canned it.

Last night for family night we made caramel dip and cut up some apples and sat around the table eating. It was great. We still have some dip, so we might have to cut up some more. Right now though, I need to make zucchini bread because we have some ripe bananas that need to be used.

So, I need to get to work! Hopefully tomorrow I'll post pictures of our wonderful mountains with their fall colors and snow caps. sigh. Have I mentioned I love this time of year?

Glorious Days of Fall

Well, yesterday we had a long day because our church was in the morning, so we took advantage of the opportunity and went up into the canyons to look at the leaves changing.

I also wanted to try out the camera we got at the yard sale. I've decided that it gets the glare from the sun a lot easier than our other camera.



Normally we don't get to do this until general conference in October, and by then the leaves have usually passed their prime. This was the first time in a long time we've got to them before the aspens really start.

It was soooo pretty! I wasn't able to do them justice, but I did get some of them.



My daughter also took a picture of my youngest two, the one on the top was trying to show off the large red leaf he'd picked...it didn't show up.


I hope to be able to get up there again before the aspens are dead, they will be a splash of yellow in the middle of the green and reds....sigh. I just love this time of year!