Giveaway - Captain Garrison

A young boy lives on an island near the sea and longs to sign onto a ship and go on an ocean voyage. When his dream comes true, he finds himself captured by pirates, barely escaping shipwreck, and unjustly accused of a crime.

That story line has been repeated often in stories through the years since we love to hear tales of men braving danger on the sea.

But in Captain Garrison, Katrina Hoover Lee includes all the above while also telling a story that goes deeper into the danger of the soul.


Katrina has written several nonfiction books including Blue Christmas and Voices of Syria. This is her first historical fiction telling the story of Nicholas Garrison who lived from 1701-1781. I enjoy historical fiction but often wonder where the history ends and the fiction begins. Katrina based her story on Garrison's short biography that he wrote before his death. His account is included in the back of the book so curious readers like myself can figure out exactly what is true in the story.

I've been fascinated with the accounts of the Moravian missionaries in the 1700s and this book delves into their work and passion. I found the book both an enjoyable read and personally encouraging.

The book is excellent for teens. Katrina doesn't ignore the evil of Garrison's early life and, though his infidelity is written about discreetly, if you read this book aloud to your children (something I'd recommend) you might want to look ahead to decide what is appropriate for young children.

Katrina is giving away a copy of Captain Garrison to a Home Joys reader.

To enter a giveaway for Captain Garrison, leave a comment on this post. Share with us a character from history that you find inspiring. If reading by email, click over to the blog and let your comment there.

Don't forget to share your email address with your comment or I have no way of contacting you.

To purchase your own copy of Captain Garrison go to TGS International.

You might also enjoy Katrina's blog.

Giveaway open for one week from today and is open to all US postal addresses. Winner chosen by random.org.

Winner of The Missing Invitation

Thanks to all who entered the giveaway for The Missing Invitation. I enjoyed hearing about the books you enjoyed as a child.

The author, Tina Fehr, has given me two copies to give away to readers, so I pulled two names for the giveaway. They are:

• Rachel who enjoyed Wee Willow Whistle.

• Susan who joined many others in listing the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder as one of her earliest book memories.

If you would like to purchase The Missing Invitation or any of Tina Fehr's other books, go to Christian Light.

Christmas Craft Expo

My girls have been stitching and crocheting the last weeks.

My oldest has made zippered pouches of various sizes.

My ten-year-old has been crocheting cell-phone purses.

Other ladies have been painting, baking, crafting, and sewing. They are making soap, binding journals, pouring candles, and shaping pottery.

The anticipation is rising for the Christmas Craft Expo to be held, Lord willing, this Friday and Saturday.

We had so much fun last year and if you are a local, make time to stop by this weekend.

You can see all the details and photos of some of the products on the Christmas Craft Expo 2019 Facebook page.

Giveaway - The Missing Invitation

Why is friendship so hard sometimes?

When I received a review copy of The Missing Invitation from the author, Tina Fehr, I was reminded of the friendship angst of elementary-aged children. (Which maybe isn't so far from adult friendship problems.)

In The Missing Invitation Megan is eager to befriend the new girl at church. But when the other girls at church ignore her and don't invite her to their special singing, she feels hurt.

Tina Fehr has written three books for children based on her homeschool family's experiences. Daddy on the Mend tells of trusting God when Dad is injured in a work accident. In More Trouble Than Trouble Creek Andrew learns to get along with his siblings. Now The Missing Invitation focuses on friendships. These books are appropriate for children ages 5-8 and could even be used as a family devotional. The lessons that Megan learned in this book could be a good conversation starter in  your family on the importance of being a good friend.

Tina gave me two copies to give away to readers.

To enter a giveaway for The Missing Invitation leave a comment on this post. Tell us one of the very first books you remember reading (or having read to you) as a child. If reading by email, click over to the blog and let your comment there. I'll choose two comments to get a copy of The Missing Invitation.

Don't forget to share your email address with your comment or I have no way of contacting you.

To purchase your own copy, go to Christian Light.

Giveaway open for one week from today and is open to all US postal addresses. Winner chosen by random.org.

Giveaway Winner for My Other Name Is Mom

Thanks to all who entered the giveaway and share about a friend whose mothering inspires you.

The winner of the giveaway was Dorcas from Maine. I hope your friend finds My Other Name Is Mom encouraging in her mothering journey.

To purchase your own copy of My Other Name Is Mom, go to Mary's website. Until December the book is on sale for $9.99. You can also email Mary at myothernameismom @ maryburkholder.com

Giveaway - My Other Name Is Mom

I usually buy used books so it is always a treat to read a newly published book. I also enjoy reading books written by people I know. And one of my favorite things ever is sharing books with friends.

I get to combine all three joys in the next weeks. I have been given several new books recently. I'm looking forward to sharing them with you. Plus the authors gave me extra copies to give away, so look for book giveaways in the coming weeks.

The first book I'm sharing is My Other Name is Mom by Mary Burkholder. I've known Mary since we were young girls in the same homeschool group, but Mary moved hundreds of miles away to Mississippi so I've not known her as a mom.

Mary's newest book begins with the history of feminism and how it has impacted Christian women today. Then Mary gets practical with chapters on the supermom myth, mommy guilt, and how to keep romance alive. I love that Mary doesn't pretend that motherhood is easy and reminds us that we don't have to have it all together to be a good mom. She writes about meeting the emotional needs of our children, battling worry, and the loneliness of mothering. Mary ends the book with some homemaking tips.

Some parenting books make me feel like a failure. Right now I feel so discouraged as a mother that I don't need more guilt. I felt like Mary was right with me in the exhaustion of motherhood. She holds a high standard and calls us to sacrificial love, but doesn't make me feel like a hopeless case.

Lyndon and Mary Burkholder and children

To purchase your own copy of My Other Name Is Mom, go to Mary's website. Until December the book is on sale for $9.99. You can also email Mary at myothernameismom @ maryburkholder.com

To enter a giveaway for My Other Name Is Mom leave a comment on this post. Tell us one thing you appreciate about a young mother in your life (you don't have to name her). I'll send you the book to give to that mom. (I don't mind if you read it first.) If reading by email, click over to the blog and let your comment there.

Don't forget to share your email address with your comment or I have no way of contacting you.

Giveaway open for one week from today and is open to all US postal addresses. Winner chosen by random.org.

Peanut Butter Apple Dip

We are enjoying our daily apples this fall. My daughter made this peanut butter dip the other night, and we considered it a winner.

Peanut Butter Apple Dip

1 cup peanut butter
8 oz pack of softened cream cheese
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk

Measure ingredients into bowl. Beat for several minutes until fluffy. Serve with apple slices.

Apple Season

After some unseasonably hot weather, I thrilled to wake up this morning to a chill in the air. I love fall with its colors and flavors.



Last week we went with my brother and his family to pick apples.

Friends allowed us to come into their orchard after their harvest was completed and pick up drops and missed apples.

Walking through the quiet rows of trees with distant mountains in view in the slanting evening light was restorative.

With the help of a dozen children, we picked over 40 bushels which were divided among the whole family.

 

At home we turned several bushels of apples into applesauce. Ed used to take applesauce in his lunch every single day, but now I don't need nearly as much.

Then my family got together on a rainy evening and made apple cider. 

We have not made cider for several years so it was extra special.

What is your favorite fall activity?