"We the People"

I came across this music video over on Peg's blog.
This is not meant to offend anyone in any way, but since it portrays
a lot of my beliefs, I've decided to share it with y'all.

Mailbox Monday

Thanks to Marcia @ The Printed Page, we get a chance to share
with others any books we've received the previous week,
via our mailbox.

Be sure to comment and leave a link to your Mailbox Monday post,
or just post your list in your comment.

Dec. 20th - 26th:



(compliments of friends, and swap sites)

Ruby Among Us (La Rosaleda Series #1) by Tina Ann Forkner
Love Finds You in Holiday Florida by Sandra B. Bricker
(a special "thank you" to Renee for sending me this book for my birthday!)
Finding Stefanie (Noble Legacy series #3) by Susan May Warren
(a special "thank you" to Lisa (& Keri) at PBS!)
A Creed Country Christmas (A Montana Creeds novel) by Linda Lael Miller



(bought on eBay)

Carter House Girls series by Melody Carlson:

Mixed Bags - #1
Stealing Bradford - #2
Homecoming Queen - #3
Viva Vermont - #4

**As most of you know, I'm not a fan of YA, but I've decided to give this series a try.**



(from PBS):

Harlequin Nascar series by Pamela Britton:
In the Groove

On the Edge

On the Move
Total Control

(from BookMooch):

Line of Scrimmage by Marie Force

I will be spending time with family most of the day today, and tomorrow, but I wanted to wish all my friends and followers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Have a safe and happy Holiday!

Blog Giveaway WINNER!!!!!

Well...the Randomizer has done it's job once again!!

The winner of the $10.00 Amazon e-Card is......................

ASHLEY W.

CONGRATULATIONS, Ashley!!!!

Merry Christmas a day early!!

Now you'll be able to buy a book (or 2) that maybe your
Mom wasn't able to find for you on PBS. :p


Randomizer (random.org) results:

There were 37 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Ashley W.
2. Carman
3. Hannah
4. Suko
5. Carman
6. Renee
7. Carman
8. Suko
9. Suko
10. Suko
11. Ashley W.
12. Hannah
13. Ashley W.
14. Suko
15. Katy
16. Renee
17. Ashley W.
18. Kaly
19. Collettakay
20. Renee
21. Suko
22. Collettakay
23. Carman
24. Renee
25. Lee
26. Renee
27. Carman
28. Carman
29. Renee
30. Lee
31. Anne
32. Ashley W.
33. Ashley W.
34. Renee
35. Carman
36. Ashley W.
37. Katy

Thank you all for participating!!
Please be sure to check back in January to see what I'm giving away then!

My Favorite Cover

The Sweet By and By
by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck

Womens Fiction/Contemporary

Thomas Nelson Publishing
Copyright 2009
Pages: 272
ISBN: 9781595544896

From CBD:

Jade Fitzgerald and Max Benson find their wedding day fast approaching with all the assorted relatives, and past baggage along with the joy, of their special day. Jade thought she left her past behind a decade ago, but when her gypsy-like mother, Beryl Hill, shows up with her younger sister, Jade's old insecurities come barreling to the surface. Can God's grace help to mend her family's broken hearts and somehow meet in the middle before it's too late?

A redemptive story from multi-platinum recording artist Sara Evans.

Jade Fitzgerald left the pain of her past in the dust when she headed out for college a decade ago. Now she’s thriving in her career and glowing in the light of Max Benson’s love.

But then Jade’s hippie mother, Beryl Hill, arrives in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee, for Jade’s wedding along with Willow, her wild younger sister. Their arrival forces Jade to throw open the dark closets of her past--the insecurity of living with a restless, wandering mother, the silence of her absent father, and the heart-ripping pain of first-love’s rejection.

Turns out Beryl has a secret of her own. She needs reconciliation with her oldest daughter before illness takes her life. In the final days leading to the wedding, Jade meets the One who shows her that the past has no hold on her future. With a little grace, they’ll meet in the middle, maybe even before that sweet by and by.

*** Watch for my review coming in January/February 2010. ***

Friday Fill-Ins

(compliments of Janet @ Friday Fill-Ins)

And...here we go!



1. No, we will probably NOT have a white Christmas here in GA.
2. I love playing "childhood" games with my sisters/family at the old kitchen table.
3. I watched the steam rising from the hot cup of coffee (or tea or hot cocoa) and thought: hmmm...I need to add whipped cream to my grocery list.
4. Allen's family is eventually going to be okay.
5. I'll take new books anytime...anywhere!!
6. Family/friends are one of God's greatest gifts... at least from my point of view.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to trying to catch up on reading and blogging, tomorrow my plans include going to a flea market with DH and Sunday, I want to finish wrapping the rest of my Christmas gifts!

2010 Romance Reading Challenge

This will be my first Reading Challenge for 2010. I absolutely love reading Romance, so this should be a very fun Challenge for me! Here are the guidelines:

* Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
--Non-Bloggers: Include your information in the comment section.

* There are four levels:

-- Curious – Read 3 Romance Fiction novels.

-- Fascinated – Read 6 Romance Fiction novels.

-- Addicted – Read 12 Romance Fiction novels.

-- Obsessed – Read 20 Romance Fiction novels.

* Any book format counts.

* You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

* Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Only books started on January 1st count towards this challenge.

* When you sign up under Mr. Linky, put the direct link to the post about the Romance Reading Challenge. Include the URL so that other participants can find join in and read your reviews and post.

Since I love reading romance books (all genres), I'm choosing the Obsessed level. My TBR selection is large, so this should be fairly easy. I plan to keep up with how many books I read in 2010...not just romances though...any/all books I happen to read. I've never done this before and I'm curious as to how many books I can read in a year. This should prove to be interesting; if I can remember to keep up with them all!

Waiting on Wednesday

(Compliments of Jill @ Breaking the Spine)

It allows bloggers to feature pre-publication
books that they are eagerly anticipating!

A Shore Thing
(An Otter Bay novel)
by Julie Carobini

Release date:
July 1, 2010

Christian Fiction/Contemporary/Romance

B&H Books
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9780805448757

(from Julie's website):

Callie Duflay just isn’t like the rest of her family. While they’ve built white collar lives, she prefers getting her hands dirty by working with children and local California causes. When Callie learns that a beloved piece of untouched property in her town of Otter Bay may soon be developed, she confronts the architect assigned to the project.

Gage Mitchell may be an easygoing, eco-friendly professional, but he’s not about to back off this job no matter how cute Callie or her pet pooch, Moondoggy, may be.

His reasons and hers are noble, both have a heart for protecting God’s creation, and the truth is these two would be perfect for each other outside of this face-off. But will they ever find common ground?

**SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST**

My DH's family desperately needs your prayers! We found out this evening that his uncle, Billy, had committed suicide. It was very sudden, and unexpected; especially right here at Christmas. We've just gotten home from spending time with the family, at the hospital.

Please remember Billy's wife, Karen, and his son, Blake. They are just devastated! As far as we know, the funeral is scheduled for Thursday. This is going to be a very tough time for DH and his family, so your prayers will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Birthday & Christmas Special Giveaway!!

It's time for another Giveaway!!!

Since December is the month to celebrate my
birthday, as well as, Christmas ~ I've decided to do something extra special.

This month I'm giving away....


An Amazon e-Gift Card with a value of...

$10.00


Here are the RULES:

* You must leave a valid email address in your comment, so I can contact you if you're the winner.
(Example: sugarandgrits{at}hotmail{dot}com)
This way spammers will be less likely to grab it.

* You must have a valid U.S. mailing address.

* At this time, the giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

* The giveaway will start today, Dec. 14th,
and end on Dec. 23rd at 11:59 p.m.(EST)
(Any/all entries entered after this time will not be eligible.)

* I will announce the winner here on Dec. 24th ~ you will also be contacted via email.
You will then have 48 hours in which to respond with your snail mail address, or another winner will be chosen.

Now ~ on to the fun stuff ~ chances for extra entries!!
Please include all of your extra entries in ONE comment...this will make it a lot easier for me to keep up with them!!
Thanks! =)

+1 = By becoming a new follower thru
Google Friend Connect, on the right sidebar

+2 = Let me know that you're already a follower

+5 = Post about my giveaway on your blog, or in your sidebar
(you can use my image above, just be sure to link back to me!)

Thank you so much for dropping by and participating!
GOOD LUCK to everyone!!

Mailbox Monday

Thanks to Marcia @ The Printed Page, we get a chance to share
with others any books we've received the previous week,
via our mailbox.

Be sure to comment and leave a link to your Mailbox Monday post,
or just post your list in your comment.

Dec. 6th - 12th:



(from BookMooch):

At Home in Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller

(from PBS):

The Healing Season by Ruth Axtell Morren
Dawn in My Heart by Ruth Axtell Morren
On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts



The Lightkeeper's Daughter
(A Mercy Falls novel)
by Colleen Coble

** Compliments of Thomas Nelson BRB for review **
(watch for my review, hopefully, in Jan. 2010)

My Favorite Cover

Since it's Christmas time, I thought I should choose an appropriate cover...here's my choice:

Cowboy Christmas
by Carol Finch, Elizabeth Lane & Pam Crooks

Harlequin
Copyright 2009
Pages: 288
ISBN: 9780373295630




(from Amazon):

Twelve days of Christmas--three heartwarming romances!

A Husband for Christmas by Carol Finch

To reassure her overprotective parents, Victoria Thurston must convince the town marshal to be her "holiday husband." But the magical, festive air--and Tori's luminous green eyes--make it very difficult for Logan Daniels to keep to their marriage in name only!

The Homecoming by Elizabeth Lane

Brooding rancher Clay McAllister paid his reckless brother's dues in a tough Kansas jail. Now Clay must win back his beautiful wife, Elise. And, after three years apart, some yuletide passion is just what Clay and Elise need to reignite the fire that still smolders between them....

The Cattleman's Christmas Bride by Pam Crooks

With her reputation cruelly slandered, Allethaire Gibson is forced to flee to the snowy Montana mountains. There the dazzling socialite unexpectedly finds a Christmas romance with a man who has fought for respect just as she has--rugged cattleman Mikolas Vasco!

**I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas romance anthology!!**

Friday Fill-Ins

(compliments of Janet @ Friday Fill-Ins)

And...here we go!



1. Good times: reading a book, spending time w/family & friends, etc..
2. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" in my home.
3. Sleigh bells ring "are you listening?".
4. Going to the library every Friday was my favorite summer activity when I was little.
5. Once more, with attitude!!
6. Will my annoying headache ever end? *sigh*
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up on my reading and my sleep, tomorrow my plans include hubby taking me to dinner & a movie (for my b-day) and Sunday, I want to enjoy being with my family as they help me celebrate my b-day (which is actually not 'til Monday, btw)!

Waiting on Wednesday

(Compliments of Jill @ Breaking the Spine)

It allows bloggers to feature pre-publication
books that they are eagerly anticipating!

Getting Lucky
(Cowboy trilogy, book 3)
by Carolyn Brown

Release date: January 1, 2010

Fiction/Romance/Western

Sourcebooks Casablanca
Pages: 416

ISBN: 9781402224362

(from Amazon):

Single mom Julie Donavan is looking for a place to start over. What she finds after buying a small house on five acres is nothing short of a nightmare.

Single dad "Lucky Griffin" Luckadeau has been crossing horns with his elderly neighbor for years. But when his daughter, Annie, decides she wants the new little girl who lives on the feuding property to be her friend, or better yet her sister, the sparks fly.

These two stubborn hotheads, who irritate each other beyond endurance, refuse to admit that it's fate that brought them together. And running from the inevitable is only going to bring a double dose of misery…

The first 2 books in her Cowboy trilogy are:

Lucky in Love
One Lucky Cowboy

My 3 All-time FAVORITE videos on YouTube!!

I hope y'all enjoy these as much as I have!!!

The wheezing gets me every time!!! I laugh SOOO hard, my jaws hurt! He gets so excited, that he laughs BEFORE the guy makes a sound a couple of times!!! LOL

This one was very popular, so you may have already seen it, but it's worth watching over and over!!! I even saw it on ELLEN once!

I love when "Charlie" laughs at Harry after he almost cries!! Priceless!!! *grin*

I don't mean to offend anyone with this one...she's actually saying "ask". It's just too cute! I mean, she is only 3!

Hopefully, at least ONE of these made you laugh!! They all crack me up every time I watch them!

Surprised Kitty!!!

I just LOVE this!! It makes me laugh every time I watch it! I hope you enjoyed it, too! LOL

Moooooommmmmm!!!

To see more cute pix...visit here!!

Teaser Tuesdays

(Compliments of MizB @ Should Be Reading)

Here's what you're asked to do:

1. Grab your current read.
2. Let the book fall open to a random page.
3. Share two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
4. Share the title of the book that the “teaser” comes from ~ so people can find the book if they like the teaser.
5. And remember – AVOID SPOILERS!!

Here's mine:

"With the blood-soaked towel out of the way, the enormity of the wound made her glance up at *****, who was focused on the task before them. ***** swallowed her question and began digging out debris, pieces of cloth, bits of wood, and bone where a rib had broken off. Please *****, get here soon."

Teaser is on page: 15


A Measure of Mercy
(Home to Blessing, Bk 1)
by Lauraine Snelling

Christian Fiction/Historical/
Romance

Bethany House Publishers
Copyright 2009
Pages: 367
ISBN: 9780764206092

My Review: Santa, Honey (3-in-1, Christmas Anthology)

Santa, Honey
(3-in-1, Christmas Anthology)
by Kate Angell, Sandra Hill & Joy Nash

Contemporary Fiction/Romance/
Christmas

Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
Copyright 2009
Pages: 322
ISBN: 9780505527530

(from PBS):

Ho, Humbug, Ho - Kate Angell (2009)

Forced into a scratchy white beard and a red velvet suit two sizes too small, hotshot ballplayer Alex Boxer knows his goose is cooked when the woman supervising his community service turns out to be cute as a Christmas elf but channeling the nutcracker.

Naughty or Nice - Sandra Hill (1996)

Anyone can hold up a convenience store on Christmas Eve. But to do it impersonating Santa Claus, on behalf of a nun, handcuffed to a gorgeous hostage - that takes brass... bells.

Christmas Unplugged - Joy Nash (2009)

Two sisters, plus two brothers, plus one romantic Christmas weekend at Dutch Lodge with zero electricity. It all adds up to a sleigh load of mix-ups, breakups and happily-ever-after hookups.


My thoughts:

I enjoyed this Christmas anthology immensely! Normally, I'm not a fan of "older" stories being thrown in with new releases, but I didn't even realize that Sandra Hill's story, Naughty or Nice, was over 10 yrs. old when I read it. Though it wasn't my favorite of the three, it was enjoyable.

Ho, Humbug, Ho is actually the 5th installment in Kate Angell's "Richmond Rogues" series. If you've already read the first 4 books, you may want to grab this one to add to your collection. This story was my least favorite, but it did have a few funny instances. I especially liked the snappy one-liners delivered by the Nutcracker. *wink*

In my opinion, Christmas Unplugged was the best. Even though the characters became intimate really quickly (like the very first night!), it was still a great story. I really enjoyed getting to know sisters, Casey and Emma; and brothers, Matt and Jake. They created some Christmas memories to last a lifetime. Matt and Jake's family are Dutch, so that added an interesting twist. This story carried the most "heat"...maybe that's why I liked it best?? LOL

As with all anthologies/novellas, it would have been better if the stories were a little longer, but hey, that's what they are, short stories, so I won't complain. Sometimes, they're just what I need...something quick and easy to read! Plus, I'm a sucker for Christmas romances. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Christmas Tree ~ 2009

Well, my friend Renee, over at Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot, just posted pix of her Christmas tree for 2009...so I thought I would do the same. *grin*

(room lights on...flash off)

(room lights on...flash off)

(room lights off...flash on)

In case you're wondering...yes, our tree is in our dining room!
You're thinking...what a stupid place for a tree, right?
Weeeelllll, our living room is so small that we would have
to put it right next to the fireplace, and we didn't really
want to do that. So...that left the dining room. *sigh*

Mailbox Monday

Thanks to Marcia @ The Printed Page, we get a chance to share
with others any books we've received the previous week,
via our mailbox.
Be sure to comment and leave a link to your Mailbox Monday post,
or just post your list in your comment.

*****************************

Since I didn't have time to post my books last week,
I've combined 2 weeks in this post.

Becoming Lucy (ARC)
(Winds Across the Prairie, Bk 1)
by Martha Rogers
(compliments of Strang Book Group
via FIRST Wild Card Tours)

The Sheriff's Surrender
(Ladies' Shooting Club, Bk 1)
by Susan Page Davis
(compliments of Barbour Publishing
via FIRST Wild Card Tours)



One Christmas Angel (2-in-1)
by Pamela Griffin & Tamera Hancock Murray
(PBS swap...thank you, Cheryl!)

Cajun Hearts (3-in-1)
by Kathleen Y'Barbo
(BookMooch)

Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie Montana
by Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss
(Thank you Carman...via PBS!!)



From BookMooch:

To Wed a Texan by Georgina Gentry
Montana Wife by Jillian Hart
Outlaw Love by Judith Stacy

(Hotel Marchand series):
A Secret Life by Barbara Dunlop
Unmasked by Ingrid Weaver
Love is Lovelier by Jean Brashear
The Legacy by Shirley Jump

*******************************

From my Book Blogger Holiday Swap match, Bookgirl's Nighstand:

Shelter Mountain
(Virgin River series, Bk 2)
by Robyn Carr

Let's Say Thanks......in support of our Troops!!

This website gives you the opportunity to choose/send a
handmade card to a soldier for FREE, telling them
"thank you" for their service to our great nation.

There are many different cards to choose from,
so please be sure to click the image above
to visit their website and choose your very own
card to send.

I've already chosen my card/message and sent it on it's way!!
Now it's your turn. :)

Here's the card I chose:

Isn't it great? The artist lives not far from me!

My Favorite Cover

This week I've chosen:

Untamed
by Emma Wildes

Historical Romance/
Western Romance

Release date:

This book is already
available...and on my
wishlist!






(from Amazon):

Lawless

Deserved or not, Cal Riker's skill with a gun gives him a deadly reputation that sometimes comes in handy. Like saving an enticing, sassy beauty from a ruthless outlaw gang. Laura Daniels is too furious about the indignity of her rescue to be intimidated by the cool, silver-eyed stranger. Until she finds out who he is. But is he truly as lawless as they say? As she discovers an interesting side to this renegade cowboy, Laurel starts to wonder.

Riding West

Just take her. The advice seems radical, but after five fruitless years of courting Celia Evans, Parker West is desperate. Kidnapping her is as drastic measure, but what has he got to lose? After she gets over the shock of being tied her up and carried off to the mountains, Celia finds she likes the sparks that fly as Parker teaches her exactly what it means to be a woman. Under his reserved exterior lives the lover of her dreams, a cowboy who knows how to give a girl a wild, intensely pleasurable ride.

Waiting on Wednesday

(Compliments of Jill @ Breaking the Spine)

It allows bloggers to feature pre-publication
books that they are eagerly anticipating!



The Homecoming
(sequel to The Unfinished Gift)
by Dan Walsh

Release date: June 1, 2010

Revell Publishing
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780800733896

(from Amazon):

No sooner is Shawn Collins home from the fighting in Europe than he is called upon to serve his country in another way--as a speaker on the war bond tour. While other men might jump at the chance to travel around the country with attractive Hollywood starlets, Shawn just wants to stay home with his son Patrick and the aging father with whom he has finally reconciled. When Shawn taps Katherine Townsend to be Patrick's nanny while he's on the road, he has no idea that she will be the key to his future happiness and the mending of his heart. This heartwarming story of tender love and fresh starts will capture readers.

I'm in the process of reading The Unfinished Gift, and noticed in
the very back that this sequel is going to be released in 2010.
I have only gotten to page 29, but I can tell this is going to be a
great book, and that I will be reaching for the tissues
before I'm done!

Teaser Tuesdays (on Wednesday)

(Compliments of MizB @ Should Be Reading)

Here's what you're asked to do:

1. Grab your current read.
2. Let the book fall open to a random page.
3. Share two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
4. Share the title of the book that the “teaser” comes from ~ so people can find the book if they like the teaser.
5. And remember – AVOID SPOILERS!!

Here's mine:

"'Don't ask him', she interrupted. 'Do you honestly expect him to disagree with you? Here,' she said, holding out her hand. 'You've got money. Give me some and I'll go down to Hodgins's and buy something decent.'

Collins just stood there looking confused."

Teaser is on page: 70

The Unfinished Gift
by Dan Walsh

Christmas Fiction/Christian/Historical

Revell Publishing
Copyright 2009
Pages: 249
ISBN: 9780800719241

FINALLY!! New pix of my BIG baby!!

Here's Deezel.................

Isn't he just beautiful?!?!?!
He's Momma's BIG boy! LOL

Deezel weighs around 35 lbs. now...he only weighed
about 9 lbs. when we got him back in August.

You can see how little he was if you look at
his pic in my sidebar. He's growing so fast!!

Here's a few more pix of him...





You can see his "inadequate" Igloo dog house behind
him in the top 2 pix.
It was fine for the Summer & Fall, but now he needs something
a LOT warmer...since he has very little fur to keep him warm.

Well....my DH has been building Deezel his very own "mansion"
for about 3 weeks now, and it's finally done! DH and some
of his friends are going to move it this afternoon.
I'm so excited!! I can't wait to see what Deezel
thinks about his new house! :)

Wah-lah!!





The front porch has since been painted white, but those pix
are not on my camera?? It's COLD outside, and I'm just
too lazy to go take more! LOL

We have a wireless fence, so Deezel can run "free" in the yard,
but we're afraid to leave him on it all night, until we're sure
he won't try to run off...that's why he's on his running
chain in the pix.

My Favorite Cover

This week I've chosen:

Love Finds You
in Pendleton Oregon
by Melody Carlson

Release date:
March 1, 2010

Summerside Press
Pages: 320
ISBN:
9781935416753




Sunshine Westcott's past is buried on Oregon's Cayuse reservation, where she's never stepped foot---until her boss, Leanne Lowenstein, insists on taking her to the annual rock-and-rodeo Pendleton roundup. Does the town hold the answers to Sunshine's family secrets? And what will happen when cowboy-to-the-core Max Lowenstein falls for Sunshine, the Native American princess?

I also found another cover for this book...which one do you prefer?