Thursday, December 30, 2010

Daily Nutrition - Feeding on the Word

I found this on the internet and it really helped me, thought I'd share it with y'all!

A healthy baby has a healthy appetite. if you have truly been “born” of the spirit of god, you will have a healthy appetite. the bible says, "as new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby" (1 peter 2:2). feed yourself every day without fail. job said, "i have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food" (job 23:12). the more you eat, the quicker you will grow, and the less bruising you will have. speed up the process, and save yourself some pain—vow to read god's word every day, without fail. say to yourself, "no bible, no breakfast. no read, no feed." be like job, put your bible before your belly. if you do that, god promises that you will be like a fruitful, strong and healthy tree (see psalm 1). each day, find somewhere quiet, and thoroughly soak your soul in the word of god.

There may be times when you read through its pages with great enthusiasm, and there may be other times when it seems dry and even boring. but food profits your body whether you enjoy it or not. as a child, you no doubt ate desserts with great enthusiasm. perhaps vegetables weren't so exciting. if you were a normal child, you probably had to be encouraged to eat them at first. then, as you matured in life you were taught to discipline yourself to eat vegetables, because they would benefit you even though they may not at the time have seemed wet to your palate.

~Natalie~

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Jane Austen Theme Post

Right now I am trying to read (for the first time ever) Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. Along with Sense & Sensibility, also by Austen. The writing style is very different and I am trying to finish one of them as soon as I can. I just loved the movies so I wanted to read the books!

Going with that Jane Austen theme, I decided to try reading Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman about teenage girls who love Pride & Prejudice. I am not through reading it yet, but it's a very good book! It's easier to read than Pride & Prejudice and I believe I will loan it to my sisters so they can read it also!


I am almost finished reading Oregon by Birdie Etchison, which I am having trouble reading. It's about Quakers and they are so very polite that they would outshine Nancy Reagan.....and that's saying a lot!
Well, I will sign off for now.
Natalie

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Writing & A Friend's Video

So I have completed my children's story and a poem. I hope to get them both published in the next year. I plan to share my poem very soon in the future when I am brave enough to share it. I also plan to share a song I wrote later on, but first I want to play it on a guitar or piano to see if I can get it to sound right.

Meanwhile, I am working on Deer Valley, getting it typed out on the computer and finishing the last chapters. Perhaps I will share a tiny piece of it before or after Christmas.

Well, I need to get back to my work, but here's a video that a friend of mine did. Enjoy!

Friday, December 10, 2010

New Look

I decided to change my theme again, wanted something more wintery. What do you think of it?

~ ~ ~

A new review will be coming up after this weekend, I hope! Or possibly on Sunday. ;D

Monday, December 6, 2010

Hurray God!

About a year ago I submitted a short story into a website to see if it would be accepted in a collection of inspiring stories. Recently I got a call that it was accepted for publication! Anyways, I thought I'd let you know about the website as they are still accepting true inspiring stories.



Author Jeanette Sharp and her husband created this book collection and are currently working on its first release. There is also Hurray God! for Parents and for Kids. Hurray God! is a work in progress as I do not know the releasing date.

I cannot wait to get the contract in the mail, this is so exciting!
Signed,
Pioneer Writer

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

"When Calls the Heart" Movie

'When Calls the Heart' is a book by Janette Oke. First in the Canadian West series. These books were my second series I read by the author and I absolutely loved the series.



When Calls the HeartStatus: Completed
Director: Michael Landon Jr.

A classic prairie romance based upon the novel by best-selling author Janette Oke, WHEN CALLS THE HEART tells the story of Elizabeth Thatcher, a cultured, young Eastern school teacher who takes a teaching position in the hardscrabble Alberta frontier. Despite the many hardships of frontier life, she cares deeply for the school children. But she has closed her heart to love until she meets handsome Wynn, a member of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police.

This family movie, set in 1910 in the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is a co-production with Believe Pictures of Los Angeles and directed by Michael Landon Jr. (Saving Sarah Cain, The Last Sin Eater), and stars Maggie Grace (Lost, Taken) and Stephen Amell (Heartland, Rent-a-Goalie).

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Beyond the Prairie DVD Releases


I am looking forward to November 23! This DVD releases then and I am hoping to either purchase it or get it for Christmas. I think I saw this movie when it released on CBS back in 2002 and I remember seeing it then. I just love the story of Laura Ingalls, and I know this would make a wonderful addition to my movie collection!

The only person I know that stars in it is Richard Thomas("John Boy Walton" from 'The Waltons'). But I am reading more about it, so I should learn the other characters soon enough. Below is a picture of Laura's little family in the film.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Dear America book by Kristiana Gregory - Mini Review by me

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell, 1847 (Dear America Series)Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell, 1847 by Kristiana Gregory

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It's been awhile since I've read this, but it was one of my favorite books in the Dear America series. I read it when I was sixteen. It took me only an hour to read it. Kristiana Gregory did a fantastic job! I was engrossed in every page of each adventure!



View all my reviews

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Currently Reading

I am part of this Love Inspired book club where they send me 4 Historical books every month. I used to get mixed books, but I finally told them I only wanted Historical books. It's a nice surprise to get the books in the mail, mostly cause I have no idea what books they will be. I recently got October's package of books that will be in stores in November. Right away, I knew I wanted to read the first book I pulled out of the package.



Who ever heard of such thing? Mail-Order Cowboy?! That really sparked my attention! The first chapter has got me totally engrossed! It's about this circle of friends in the 1800s. After the Civil War, many of the men that were single were killed or MIA; so there's no one for a group of friends to marry. One gets an idea to put an ad in the Houston paper for Mail-Order grooms. They all have family ranches that they can't run on their own. A cowboy reads the article, and while on his way to a job in Houston, he stops by the women's small town. When he arrives the one with the idea's ranch hand is hurt and he offers to stay until he's well again. That's the farthest I've read. But I know it will be a great read!

~Natalie

Monday, October 25, 2010

Book Cabinet


I made good use of my family's old TV cabinet! In the cabinet I placed some of my book collection inside. My book collection is well over 500! Including almost the entire collection of Nancy Drew books and my massive collection of Historical Christian Novels.
On the shelf part, I added some teapots. I have 20 teapots in my personal collection, so I placed 5 teapots in my room on the shelf. I keep my laptop on top of the cabinet with my writing lap desk. I am using this TV cabinet as a temporary writing desk until I can find one in an antique store.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Second Chance Bride: Review by Me



A prostitute gets a second chance to pose as a teacher in a small town. She learns how to teach and everyone believes she is this teacher woman. She learns more about God and about a particular guy in town. When a stranger comes to town, he threatens to tear them all apart.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Currently Writing

While I am not moving away from "the Courting Plan" as it is still in progress, I am writing a new novel. Go again and sigh, I know. I had an amazing idea after reading a particular book. I had an idea about writing this single novel that is not connected to a series, which might be changed later in the future. The novel is about 5 best friends living in this small town. This novel is titled: Plain Janes.


About the Best Friends:


Laura Gunter, 19. Is a romantic at heart, believes there is a Prince Charming somewhere.


Gwyn Meloy, 17. A active tomboy who loves flower pressing.


Grace Eickhoff, 18. Loves reading and writing Science Fiction.


Juliet Meloy, 15. A very active sports player who has a tough time dealing with her parent's strict dress code and rules.


Taylor West, 15. Is a music and softball lover. Very adventurous and is never home on the weekends.

Much Love...<3

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

My Winter Reading List

I plan to spend a lot of time sewing and making jewelry this winter. Plus some knitting and writing. I also plan on doing a lot of reading!! I thought I'd share my Winter Reading List with y'all. There are some other books I'm going to read, but these are the ones I already have bought!

Mission of Hope (Love Inspired Historical)
Mission of Hope by Allie Pleiter

Dangerous Allies (Love Inspired Historical)
Dangerous Allies by Renee Ryan

Dakota Cowboy (The Dakota Series #2) (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical #59)
Dakota Cowboy by Linda Ford

The Doctor's Newfound Family (Love Inspired Historical)
The Doctor's Newfound Family by Valerie Hansen

Rocky Mountain Match (Love Inspired Historical)
Rocky Mountain Match by Pamela Nissen

In a Mother's Arms: Finally a Family/Home Again (Mother's Day Anthology) (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical #29)
In a Mother's Arms by Jillian Hart & Victorian Bylin

Oregon: The Heart Has Its Reasons/Love Shall Come Again/Love's Tender Path/Anna's Hope (Inspirational Romance Collection)
Oregon by Bridie Etchison

Kansas: Beyond Today/Threads of Love/Woven Threads/The House on Windridge (Inspirational Romance Collection)
Kansas by Tracie Peterson

Colorado Lace (Romancing America)
Colorado Lace by Rachel Druten

Christmas Mail-Order Brides: A Trusting Heart/The Prodigal Groom/Hidden Hearts/Mrs Mayberry Meets Her Match (Romancing America: Wyoming)
Christmas Mail Order Brides by Vickie McDonough


.....and more will be added to the list! :D I just know I will find another book at Wally world soon! I just wish I could afford to buy some of the $10 books there. :( They are just too darn expensive.

Happy Reading!
Natalie

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Inkheart - Movie Review



If you liked the movies "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and "Chronicles of Narnia" this is the film for you! "Inkheart" was released in 2007 starring Brendan Fraiser and Helen Mirren. I've been wanting to see this movie for a long time and when I spotted it on the shelf for $5, I grabbed it. I had seen "Journey to the Center of the Earth" with Brendan Fraiser and really liked his acting, so that was a thumbs up when I saw him on the cover!






"Inkheart" begins with Mo(Brendan Fraiser) reading a book to his infant daughter and wife. He feels weird reading it, but continues to do so. After this scene it shows him and his daughter thirteen years later. A character from a book appears and askes for Mo's help. Meggie(Eliza Bennett), Mo's daughter, questions what's going on and the whereabouts of her mother. Meggie also discovers her father has the power to bring fictional characters in books to life. When she discovers this, she finds out that her mother was put in a book. With their great-aunt's help(Helen Mirren) they discover a way to help the fictional character and find Resa(Sienna Guillory), Meggie's mother. And they must defeat a fictional villian in order to save Resa.

This film was really enjoyable and a thrill to watch! Definitely worth your time!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Etsy

Last year I had an Etsy account and had no success. Well, I am trying it again. Under a different username. I am CraftyChic90 over there. I have several necklaces and a few bracelets on there. I think my prices are just right. Even though people to people, I sell them with an even number.

Anyways, I am hoping to sell quiet a few over there. I have had good luck selling on eBay, but it's hard listing jewelry with cars and movies. If only I could have a separate eBay for jewelry. But then I'd have to have 2 paypals and 2 bank accounts. lol. Too much trouble and hassle!

I am praying that Etsy goes well for me this time. I think my jewelry is really pretty and so do people in my hometown. I know I can't make a living selling jewelry, but maybe this will become good pocket change. And hopefully in the future it will be a little more than pocket change.

Here are a few pictures of what I am selling over there, but please...check out my shop!






Saturday, September 11, 2010

Where Were You

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below



Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters



I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love



I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love



I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day


sung by Alan Jackson. He wrote this song the night after the towers were attacked.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Broken

Wake up to a sunny day, not a cloud up in the sky
Then it starts to rain, my defenses hit the ground
And they shatter all around, so open and exposed
I found strength in the struggle
Face to face with my trouble

When you're broken in a million little pieces
And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore
Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believing in yourself
When you're broken

Little girl don't be so blue
I know what you're going through
Don't let it beat you up
Hitting walls and getting scars
Only makes you who you are
Only makes you who you are
No matter how much your heart is aching
There is beauty in the breaking
Yeah

When you're broken in a million little pieces
And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore
Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believing in yourself
When you're broken

Better days are gonna find you once again
Every piece will find its place

When you're broken, when you're broken

When you're broken in a million little pieces
And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore
Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believing in yourself
When you're broken

sung by Lindsay Haun

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Review of Laney's Kiss by Tracey Victoria Bateman



Laney's Kiss by Tracey V. Bateman

I have read this novel three times, as it is one of my favorites! I immediately fell in love with Laney and Luke!! I just knew they were the perfect couple, both stubborn as a mule! This story starts right off with excitement as Laney and Luke are arguing as they do plenty of throughout the novel. Luke wants to marry Laney and move to Oregon. Laney wants to marry Luke, but stay in their hometown. As these lovebirds quarrel, events occurred that renders them both to pray, seeking God and see the true paths they must follow.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Sooner or Later by Vickie McDonough - My Review




** spoiler alert **

Rebekah runs away from home to escape marriage to someone twice her age. Mason rescues Rebekah on the trail. Rebekah rides with him and his relatives, Katie(niece) and Jimmy(nephew). While on the trail they overcome a tornado and meet new friends. They ride into Mason's destination where he's bring his relatives to their father. Rebekah thinks Mason doesn't love her, so she leaves Mason and his family. Soon they are reunited when Rebekah runs into her father and the man she was supposed to marry. There Mason declares his love for her. . . .

A sweet adventurous story!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

The Good Lord and the Man



Well he was one of the millions
who signed up to defend us
long ago in 1941
when they sucker punched us in Pearl Harbor
He fought under MacArthur seventeen with an army Thompson gun







Well he stormed a lot of beaches slept in jungles with the leaches
he saw things young man should never see
and when they shot him in the shoulder
he got back up and he marched over
left a lot of brothers dead in kawagalie



If it wasn’t for the Good Lord and the man
There wouldn’t be a breath of freedom in this land
and I see people on my T.V. taking shots at uncle Sam
I hope they always remember why they can
Cause we’d all be speakin’ German livin’ under the flag of Japan
If it wasn’t for the Good Lord and the man
If it wasn’t for the Good Lord and the man



Well I’m the grandson of a soldier and I’d fight the whole world over
if duty called and freedoms on the line
but thanks to the greatest generation and the ones still fighting for our nation
I’ve never had to kill for my way of life



If it wasn’t for the Good Lord and the man
There wouldn’t be a breath of freedom in this land
and I see people on my T.V. taking shots at uncle Sam
I hope they always remember why they can
Cause we’d all be speakin’ German livin’ under the flag of Japan
If it wasn’t for the Good Lord and the man
If it wasn’t for the Good Lord and the man

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