Welcome to my August #TuesdayTea celebration of JOY!
Granddaughter’s afternoon tea picture. ❤️
Recently, my husband and I stayed with our three grandchildren while their parents took a relaxing vacation trip. Our week with these amazing little ones was filled with treasured moments of JOY!
We played in the sand, splashed in the wading pool, baked cookies, drew pictures, harvested a cucumber, read stories, wrote books, walked to the park, watched movies and sipped homemade lemonade.
One of my favorite times was baking cherry scones with the little helpers, then enjoying a high tea luncheon.
We made cherry scones and cucumber sandwiches for afternoon tea!
The cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches were a surprise hit, along with the peanut butter finger sandwiches. A fruity herbal tea was the perfect beverage choice for our little group. Fresh strawberries provided the just-right dessert. All three grandkids loved the tea celebration, pleasing Grammy with their enthusiasm.
We made so many treasured memories! The eight-year-old delighted in creating scented soap for her parents, the five-year-old happily explained his amazing LEGO creations, and the baby reached for my hand as she settled in for her naps….perfect moments of JOY!
We are so thankful to be able to spend time with our grandchildren. It was a week filled with smiles and love…..treasured blessings of JOY!
WRITING NEWS:
I’m currently taking a class, Monster Revisions, to do an intensive edit of my historical romance manuscript. I’m filled with JOY to be working on this story again after completing it two years ago.
AUGUST BOOKRECOMMENDATIONS:
Are you looking for book recommendations to end your summer? I have some suggestions, as reading time always brings JOY.
If you like historical, Julie Lessman’s Love’s Silver Lining is a romance set in Virginia City, Nevada, in 1885. As the author does so well, this story is filled with sweet passion and the blessing of faith. I love the strong family members and other characters in this story.
If you like contemporary, A Father for Bella by Jill Weatherholt, is a good choice. I’ve just started this book and already find it engaging. It features one of my favorite settings….a country inn bed and breakfast hotel. I love to imagine I’m staying in small inns, like a virtual vacation.
If you like a bit of both historical and contemporary, the novella collection Legacy of the Heart, by Danica Favorite, Stacy Henrie, Tina Radcliffe, Terri Reed and Sherri Shackelford, would be just right. An antique locket is the thread between these five stories. I enjoyed them all.
Forest hiking in the mountains brings me JOY.
THOUGHTS:
From my mid-August reflections of summer, I’m thankful to have enjoyed many moments of joy. I found the following scripture appropriate. The sounds of joyful grandchildren and the summer hiking sounds of birds singing filled my heart with the light of our Lord. I treasure these memories.
SCRIPTURE:
Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.Psalm 89:15 (KJV)
Thank you for joining me for #TuesdayTea! Please try a sample of the goodies. I hope you enjoy the cucumber sandwiches as much as my grandson did. What joy-filled times did you treasure this summer?
May your life be filled with the treasures of smiles and love…and many moments of JOY!
Blessings and prayers always,
Sherida
*I appreciate your thoughts and apologize for the delay in approval and posting of your comments.
What a fabulous opportunity to meet with these wonderful Christian authors! If you are near Nashville, or can visit in August, I know this will be a great time of fellowship with Christians celebrating writers and readers of inspirational books. The registration deadline of July 26 is fast approaching. (Earlier if capacity is reached.) LOOK AT ALL THESE CHRISTIAN AUTHORS–some of my very favorites!
PRESS RELEASE:
Christian Fiction Authors and Readers to meet at Unique Retreat
Intimate gathering of Readers and 30+ Authors will meet before ACFW Conference
Nashville, TN June 17th, 2016 (wire)
A one day gathering of Christian Fiction readers and over 30 authors will be meeting in Nashville, TN on August 24th from 9am-6pm CDT. The event’s theme is “Honoring God through Christian Fiction” and will feature speaker sessions, author panels, breakout sessions, prayer & worship and author signings as well as booth sponsors.The Christian Fiction Readers Retreat (CFRR) is an unprecedented event in the Christian Fiction genre for readers to meet authors. The event will include food, games, giveaways and free books. The event takes place on August 24 in Nashville, the day before the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Conference also in Nashville this year.
Avid reader Bonnie Roof from Louisville, KY teamed up with book bloggers “Annie JC” of justcommonly.blogspot.com and “MeezCarrie” of readingismysuperpower.org to form the planning committee based on their common passion for Christian fiction and a desire for authors and readers to interact in a casual setting. Keynote speakers at the CFRR include authors Julie Lessman, Tamera Alexander, Laura Frantz, Mary Connealy, and Ruth Logan Herne. Authors currently due to appear and participate in panels and other activities are Becky Wade, Brandy Heineman, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Carrie Turansky, Caryl McAdoo, Dana R. Lynn, Dani Pettrey, Debby Giusti, Elaine Stock, Gabrielle Meyer, Genevieve Woods, Jan Drexler, Janet Dean, Jean Gordon, Jennifer Slattery, Kara Isaac, Kate Breslin, Krista Phillips, Kristi Ann Hunter, Marie Wells Coutu, Melanie Dickerson, Melony Teague, Mesu Andrews, Myra Johnson, Pepper D. Basham, Sarah Monzon, Shelley Shepard Gray, Susan Anne Mason, Susan Page Davis, and Tracey Lyons.
The CFRR event will be held at the Scarritt-Bennett Center, located just north of Nashville’s trendy Hillsboro village and just south of Nashville’s booming downtown. The event will take place on August 24th, 9am-6pm CDT. The event is open to registered attendees only. Registration is currently open online at http://christianfictionreadersretreat.blogspot.com/p/fee.html for $98 until July 26th or until the venue capacity is reached.
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV
PRAYER
Dear Lord, please bless this amazing event. Be with the incredible organizers as they complete the work of preparing for this retreat. Be with all these fabulous Christian authors as they spread Your Word through their writing. Be with those attending this special gathering. May all be blessed with an inspiring time of fellowship. In Jesus’s name, Amen
Thank you for stopping by to read about this event. I hope you will be able to attend. I’m sure you will experience God’s treasured blessings.
Please join me for a celebration of the Christmas season while we enjoy a festive treat of Cranberry Apricot Scones. I’m reviewing A Heart Full of Christmas, a collection of contemporary novellas all filled with the heartwarming joy of romance and happily-ever-after endings. These stories are written by five of the Seekers of Seekerville.
A Heart Full of Christmas is a sparkling collection of five inspirational romances written by five of my favorite authors. Each story has a different quality. The charming angel ornament on the cover is a precious hint of what is inside, as all the novellas feature the touch of a angel.
A MIRACLE FOR CHRISTMAS, by Debby Giusti, is an exciting love story of overcoming fears and focusing on the future. Watch for Gabriel, a secondary character, who is the kind of guy we all need for comfort during stressful situations.
HOME TO HIS HEART, by Ruth Logan Herne, is a story about former high school acquaintances who must confront difficult childhood memories. A relationship develops between them as his rambunctious and adorable twin boys bring them together. Ruthy knows how to “write” kiddos!
UNDER THE MISTLETOE, by Tina Radcliffe, has the flavor of my favorite Christmas tale. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but this is a charming novella, filled with trademark Tina humor. I love this story. And a recipe for gingerbread cookies makes for a perfect treat-filled ending.
HOLIDAY HOMECOMING, by Sandra Leesmith, starts with a sweet pre-Christmas birthday gathering of old friends. At the suggestion of a special waitress, they reminisce about first loves. A delightful holiday celebration and romance with Southern California style.
SNOWFLAKE KISSES, by Missy Tippens, is a warm small town romance set in High Hope, Georgia. A lovely romance evolves as a family secret comes to light. Vintage ornaments and a Christmas Eve surprise add to a sweet story.
With this group of favorite authors, you will experience suspense, heart-touching emotion, laughter, warmth, and sweet romance…..all with the strength of faith-filled grace. What a perfect set of stories to get ready for the Christmas season. A great Christmas gift to fill someone’s virtual stocking…..errrr, Kindle!
*I won a copy of this book, with no requirement to write a review. I’m thrilled to share my honest opinion about this collection.
***
Another Christmas collection of Seeker novellas is Home for Christmas, a set of historical romance stories. I highly recommend both collections….great authors, great stories, great value. And these sets are excellent for gifting!
TEA TREATS: Cranberry Apricot Scones with Orange Glaze, compliments of author Mary Jane Hathaway.
Cranberry Apricot Scone with Orange Glaze
I first saw this recipe when author Mary Jane Hathaway posted a picture on Facebook. She was preparing these scones for sharing the recipe on the Yankee-Belle Café blog. (www.Yankee-BelleCafe.blogspot.com) She graciously allowed me to share the recipe with you. Thank you, Mary Jane and all the Yankee-Belle Café gals!
I used dried cranberries, which worked fine. These are simply delicious…..and taste and smell like Christmas….a perfect treat for a Christmas tea celebration.
If you want to learn about Mary Jane Hathaway’s books, click here.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord,
We pray for all Christian authors as they bring the message of hope and love to others through their books. We pray that others learn about the light of the world, placing their faith and trust in You.
In Jesus name, Amen.
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I’m sending my prayers for all of you, dear friends, for a blessed Christmas and a year of treasured blessings in the New Year!
Thank you for visiting me and taking a bit of quiet time to celebrate the treasured blessing of Christ’s birth.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
1 Peter 3:15 KJV
I’m delighted to welcome contemporary Christian romance author Cathy Bryant to our tea time today. Cathy has written a devotional message titled “Does God Really Exist?” to help us be ready to share God’s message with unbelievers and answer their hard questions. She also has some details about her newest book, CROSSROADS, her upcoming Facebook party, and a recipe for crab dip. Please see the link below to RSVP for the Facebook party and join in the fun. Cathy is also offering an ebook copy of CROSSROADS. Please see the Rafflecopter entry form below.
DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE BY CROSSROADS AUTHOR CATHY BRYANT
Does God Really Exist?
Every one of the Miller’s Creek novels (Christian romance and romantic suspense) took root in my head because of a spiritual theme. The latest book CROSSROADS took on even more importance because of its theme of winning back those who have defected from the faith.
We all know someone–maybe a friend, co-worker, or even a family member–who has turned away from the faith in Christ they once professed.
During the course of the story, I tried to examine their objections to the faith as well as the tough questions we’re often asked by unbelievers. This devotional guest post attempts to answer one of the most frequent questions: Does God really exist?
Not at all for the sake of argument, I hope instead that my research on this topic provides each of us with answers we need to “…make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”(1 Peter 3:15).
Proof of God – Man’s Innate Moral Code
Within each of us is a universal moral code that exists despite differences in culture, socioeconomic status, and upbringing.
Think about it for a second. Every person, regardless of whether they are ‘good’ or ‘bad’ or where or how they grew up, have a sense of right and wrong behavior. Though we don’t always live by this unwritten code of ethics, we can attest to it. We all have a sense of fairness or justice that’s somehow embedded deep within us.
So where does this ethical or moral code come from? Does it originate with man? Hardly.
The very fact that men are incapable of keeping this code proves that it originates outside of us. Therefore it can only be assumed that Someone or Something bigger than us created the code or at least created us with the code buried deep within the fiber of our being.
To me, this is evidence exhibit number one in the case for God’s existence and superiority to mankind.
Proof of God – Creation
Another proof lies in Creation itself. And no surprise, but this very point is illustrated and confirmed in God’s Word.
The heavens are telling of the glory of God;And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.Day to day pours forth speech,And night to night reveals knowledge.There is no speech, nor are there words;Their voice is not heard.Their line has gone out through all the earth,And their utterances to the end of the world.-Psalm 19:1-4 (NASB)
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.-Romans 1:20 (NASB)
Notice that the heavens are continuing to express God’s glory and His role as Creator. And across the globe and around the planet, all men have seen it. This leaves us all without excuse.
Proof of God – Arguments and Answers
There will be those who take the position of the big bang theory and evolution as a way of denying God. My answer to either of those theories is that it takes a lot more faith to believe either one than it does to believe in the existence of God. In addition, if they’re right and I’m wrong, then I’m no worse off. However, if I’m right and they’re wrong, for them it means a life of eternal separation from the presence and power of God.
And as stated above, our evidence for God’s existence is two-fold: the moral code within each man and the glory of God’s created universe. May we equip ourselves with this Truth so we might better answer those who have tough questions.
Thank you, Cathy, for sharing your thoughts with us!
CROSSROADS by Cathy Bryant
About the Book
CROSSROADS-a Miller’s Creek novel and Christian contemporary romance
A former soldier battles for the soul of a prodigal…
After a devastating divorce, a bitter single mom and atheist starts her own real estate company in the nostalgic and picturesque town of Miller’s Creek, Texas. Then her young daughter’s disturbing symptoms lead doctors to discover that her leukemia has relapsed. With her new life now turned upside down, Mara Hedwig struggles to keep her business afloat. And her daughter’s worsening condition forces her to rethink her beliefs about Carter Callahan and his God. Will Mara make the return to Christian faith in the face of life’s greatest challenge?
An ex-military operative struggles with the return to civilian life while coping with his rebellious teen-aged daughter. During a house-search, Carter meets Mara, a headstrong Realtor who wants nothing to do with his God. But when Mara’s little girl is diagnosed with leukemia, the clock begins ticking for him to convince Mara to return to a life of faith. Just as he seems to be making headway, circumstances beyond his control throw his efforts into a tailspin. Can Carter learn to rest in the sovereignty of God?
Amazon best-selling author Cathy Bryant writes Christian fiction set in the heart of Texas. Her popular romance and romantic suspense novels take place in the fictional town of Miller’s Creek, where folks are friendly, the iced tea is sweet, and Mama Beth’s front porch beckons. All the Miller’s Creek novels have been on the Amazon Best-Seller list and are rated at 4.5 stars or higher on Amazon. Her debut novel, TEXAS ROADS, was a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist. Since then five other stand-alone novels have been added to the series, one of which was a reader-nominated 2013 Grace Award nominee (PILGRIMAGE OF PROMISE). Readers have compared her work to that of Karen Kingsbury and Nicholas Sparks. A native Texan, Cathy currently resides in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountains of northern New Mexico with her minister husband of over thirty years. She’s written devotions for The Upper Room devotional magazine, two devotional books in collaboration with other Christian authors, and for online sites. She also has released a Bible study book, THE FRAGRANCE OF CRUSHED VIOLETS. In addition to her writing, she enjoys thrift store shopping, romping in the great outdoors, and mini-farming. To learn more about Cathy and her books, visit her website at http://www.CatBryant.com or make contact with her in these places:
For our tea treat, I’m serving a recipe Cathy shares with us…..Carter’s Crab Dip, which was inspired by the brawny soldier-turned-policeman and hero of CROSSROADS. He uncovers the heroine’s penchant for seafood and creates this special seafood dip for a picnic lunch the two share. Please have a cup of lemon tea, which goes wonderfully well with the crab tea sandwiches.
Crab dip served on toast triangles.
INGREDIENTS:
1 8-oz. cream cheese and 1 3-oz. cream cheese, softened
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 T. lemon juice
2 T. mayonnaise
1/2 small finely chopped white onion
1 7-oz. can of crab meat
garlic powder and salt to taste
1/2 bottle of cocktail sauce on top (can substitute Tabasco sauce if you want the heat)
fresh or dried parsley
cocktail crackers
DIRECTIONS:
1. Blend the first seven ingredients together well, and spread on a serving dish.
2. Spread the cocktail sauce on top as a sort of icing.
3. Garnish with fresh or dried parsley.
4. Chill in the refrigerator, and serve with cocktail crackers.
Seekerville will be hosting My One Word author, Rachel Olsen, on Monday, January 5, 2015. The “one word” concept is intriguing because of its simplicity in focusing efforts for resolutions for the year and changing your life. Hope to see you in Seekerville on Monday, where I’ll be sharing the “one word” I’ve selected for my actions for 2015….and it may change my life. (Plus I’ll bring a cup of tea to savor…which always helps with the thought process!) http://www.Seekerville.com
I am delighted to share this beautiful cover with you–Love’s Miracles by Sandra Leesmith. Sandra is one of the authors at www.seekerville.net. Seekerville was recently named as one of the 101 best websites for writers by Writer’s Digest. I “met” Sandra and her editor, Amber Stokes, in Seekerville.
About the Book
Dr. Margo Devaull came to Dominic Zanelli’s mountain retreat confident that she could help this Vietnam veteran overcome the torment that kept him apart from the world. But her training as a psychologist had not prepared her for the tragic, explosive contradictions brewing inside him. For here was a sensitive artist who could be gentle – and a man whose eyes flashed with violence and pain when he told her to leave and never come back. Yet Margo did come back, slowly gain his trust, and awaken the sleeping needs of his heart. Only by reliving her own wounded past and helping Zane confront a terrible memory from the war could she set them both free – and save their last chance for love.
FYI
The blog tour for Love’s Miracles is scheduled for May 20th – 31st. Be watching the Seasons of Humility blog (www.seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com) for more information in the coming weeks! The book will be released in Kindle format in late May.
About the author
Sandra loves to hike, read, bicycle, and write. She lives in Arizona with her husband and Labrador retriever. During the hot summer, she and her husband travel throughout the United States in their motorhome, where she enjoys the outdoors and finds wonderful ideas for her next writing project. You can learn more about Sandra and her books at www.sandraleesmith.com.
About the Cover Designer
Lena lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. She writes fiction for young adults, mostly light fantasy with a healthy dose of “sigh-worthy” romance. You can visit her online at www.lenagoldfinch.blogspot.com.
Thank you, Sandra Leesmith, for sharing this beautiful cover! I want to hike the trail to that mountain and read about Margo and Zane!
I will admit, I have picked up a book because of its cover. Have you ever chosen a book based on the appearance of the cover? If so, what elements of the cover attracted you to that book? (I love mountain scenes!)
Sherida Stewart 