Pete Wilson Friday - Come follow along!

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: | Posted On at 7:35 AM

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I just got back from Pete's blog. It's funny. I like funny. I needed funny. So, enjoy some stupid funny via the vid he posted there.

And check out the other posts he's had this week, more funny, some thought-provoking. His blog is always a great way to spend a few moments.

Lord bless your weekend!

Click his pic to visit Pete Wilson at Without Wax.

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0 comments

Chef Sherri - Guest Cooking Yumminess into Our Lives - Oatmeal Pecan Cookies!

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: , | Posted On at 7:19 AM


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I'm very excited to have my friend, and fellow blogging sister guest cooking for us today. And, she's combining two of my favorite flavors--oatmeal & pecans and making them into COOKIES. I love cookies. Can't wait to dip a couple of these babies in my cuppa--how about you?



Let me share a little about Sherri first. She'll be here regularly, so pull out your recipe cards and keep a few blank ones handy. Sherri has a wonderfully yummy blog at: Everything In Moderation. Let me just tell you, she tempts you on that phrase--if you go to her blog, you'll see what I mean. There are great recipes, and many of them will be making a place in my recipe box and onto our dinner table. Visit Sherri's Blogger profile to learn more about this neat lady.


Without further adieu, here's Sherri:




I call them GFIP Oatmeal pecan Cookies- and here's the story.





This is a recipe of my mothers that we have been baking for years, and I'm telling you- if you don't bake another cookie this fall, THIS is the cookie that you need to bake!


Why?


Well, every time we take them anywhere, we come back with an empty plate and people start hounding us for the recipe. I'm serious. They are an addicting cookie. Because they are not too sweet, and they are crunchy and light (as in airy-NOT non-fat), it keeps you going back for more, and more and more!


Do you need to ask someone's forgiveness? Bake them a batch of these cookies. I guarantee they will accept your apology after they eat one.


Is your child on the teacher's bad list at school? Send him/her a batch of these babies and your child is sure to become the teacher's pet!


Is your boss on your case too much? Hand them a cookie or two-I think you'll smell a promotion.

Did you wreck the car and afraid to tell your hubby? Hand him a plate of these and he'll be taking you shopping for a new one!


Not that I have ever lowered myself to manipulating people with a plate of cookies in any of these instances, but I know others who have. Ahem.


They are that good.


I have never made them without eating 5 right off the bat. At least five. And really, cookies are not my weakness.


Not convinced yet?


How's this.....the recipe starts with a CAKE MIX! It is a simple secret recipe that I am willing to share. You can thank me later.


If you want to gain friends and influence people...BAKE THESE COOKIES!


Mom's Famous GFAIP (Gain Friends and Influence People) Oatmeal Pecan Cookies

YOU WILL NEED:






1 (18.25 oz. box yellow cake mix (you can use an off brand and it is still delicious)
2 cups quick oats,uncooked
1 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 lg. eggs
1 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla




Combine first three ingredients in lg. bowl.





Combine oil and eggs;add to dry ingredients, stirring well. Stir in pecans and vanilla.





Drop dough by rounded teaspoonful 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet (I used a melon baller for more uniform cookies).





Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until light brown. Cool on wire rack. Yeild 5 dozen cookies.







*Because they are a crunchy cookie, they are GREAT dipped in milk (note: My milk was skim- I was trying to save a bit of fat!) They are also great dipped in your coffee.


Now, here's the challenge:


EVERYBODY loves homemade cookies. And usually, we can't (or don't need to) eat all the cookies that we bake anyway, so why not purposefully bake some extras to giveaway to someone you know who could use a smile?


Maybe it's a elderly neighbor who seems a bit lonely- maybe it's your local firefighters or policemen who could use a thank- you plate. Leave a plate in your breakroom at work for your co-workers to enjoy. Maybe a teen needs some lovin' from the oven to cheer them up. There may be a child you know who would enjoy some homemade cookies. Look around. Someone may be forever touched by your small gesture.


I'm planning on trying to do this weekly.




Thank you, Sherri! Wasn't Sherri great? How about that recipe?!!! WOW!


Is there someone, especially during this coming holiday season
who you could take a plate of fresh baked cookies to and warm a heart?
Who do you have in mind?
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6 comments

All the closer on Love's Gamble - Ch 4

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: | Posted On at 10:07 PM

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LOVE'S GAMBLE ch. 4 has been written and is now being critiqued. As soon as the critique comes back, I'll make changes and then post the chapter here. Thank you for cheering me on and waiting patiently for this chapter.



Tomorrow, I'll start work on chapter 5. Pray for me. LOL.


By the way, I mention one of Molly's dresses in this current chapter. I wanted to share with you what the dress looks like. I have three pics to share, very pretty. The dress is called a Polonaise & Walking Skirt (I believe it's two pieces--hey, some of this I'm learning as I go--so chime in if you have any info on this). I'll add the site's url where I found these pics, they have a lot of fun things on their site.


For now, here is the dress style I referenced Molly pulling from her trunk.



I like the pink one best. 
My friend, SageOak, likes the purple. 
Which would you choose for yourself?
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3 comments

Operation Christmas Child - Come and bless the little ones!

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: | Posted On at 10:45 PM





I have a big favor to ask of you. A couple to be exact.


I hope you'll prayerfully consider them.



I don't know when it happened, but the holidays have snuck up on us. Yes, they have! It's a wonderful time of the year, a time of joy and family traditions, a time of hope and remembering the greatest gift mankind has ever received--and all because of a deep love for us from our Creator.




As long as we don't make it about stuff, and rushing around, and what we'll get. But, it is about what we'll give. And that's where my favors come in...


First favor, please consider sharing this video on your blog, or linking it in an email to your friends. Operation Christmas Child is a wonderful program/ministry that gifts children all over the world. My son is gifted by the opportunity to fill a shoebox with toiletries, books, toys, a letter, and prayers for a child he will probably never met this side of heaven. And, the child receiving the box my son is now so carefully and prayerfully packing will be blessed because we opened our empty pockets and God took nothing and made it something. He's so excellent at miracles, isn't He? That is the loveliness of our loving God. He can take nothing, and make something wonderful happen.


We don't have much, but what we can pull together will go in a shoebox, along with our prayers for the little boy who will receive them. It's already time to get those shoeboxes filled and prepare them for drop-off in a couple of weeks - Nov 16 - 23 this year, at your nearest Collection Center. Please follow this link for more details about what can go into a box, how to identify the age & gender of who you've packed it for, and where your nearest Collection Center is.


Second favor, please watch the video. Please pass it on via your blog, your social networks, your friends and family via email. The embed code is there in the bottom of the vid frame.



Thanks--for letting me make such a request. I know your days are already packed (and I'm blessed you spend a few moments of your precious day here with me) and your pockets are about as empty as mine. But our hearts are full, and we have the desire to give, to share, so let's step out together and bless. And be blessed. It's inexpensive to fill a shoebox, and God will make a way.


I'm praying your blessed beyond your comprehension this holiday season. God is a giver. And we are His beloved. Let's open our hands, to give, and to receive in Christ.



GIFT IDEAS

TOYS
small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS
toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

OTHER
Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

A PERSONAL NOTE
In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)

DO NOT INCLUDE:
Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans 


If you want/need more information,
just leave a comment and I'll get back to you.


May God richly and deeply bless you today and during the holidays.



And...thank you.

One more...





4 comments

Nook vs. Kindle

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: , , | Posted On at 8:37 AM

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Nook or Kindle? Before you even dash for your cup of coffee, I have a question for you, but maybe you should get your cuppa and we'll chat this out. Well, okay, that was the question. Nook or Kindle?



In my inbox yesterday (maybe it was in the wee hours this morning--haven't had my first sips of morning brew yet, so my brain is still a little hazy) I received Barnes & Nobles email advertisement on their new eReader, the Nook.


Have you heard of it before? Me neither.


But, if you go to the Barnes & Noble site and look at B&N's comparison page on the Nook vs. Kindle you will see that they surpass Kindle in features. Apparently, you can loan out your purchased book to family and friends and your bookclub, thanks to the Nook's LendMe(TM) technology. I'm all for lending books, do it all the time with my good old fashioned paper books. But I can only lend out as many copies of that book as I have purchased, or been gifted because someone else purchased. Is it the same with the Nook?


As a writer, I want millions of people reading my books. On this blog, I give away a chapter of my e-book (notice difference in spelling, my e-book is only available by the humble means of this blog or my other blog Bustles And Spurs), LOVE'S GAMBLE, every couple of weeks in hopes that readers will love it and tell their friends about it, thus bringing me more readers. You can check the sidebar for the chapters. My readers get a free book, I get more readers. It's a cycle of love.


So, what's my concern? I have to be honest. I haven't yet read all the information, but since B&N brought it up, I'm going to ask until I can find the answer. How many people can I loan my eBook to at a time? That number should be directly related to how many copies of that title I've purchased. So, let's say I purchase one copy of Susan Meissner's recent release, WHITE PICKET FENCES, one copy of Linore Rose Burkard's THE HOUSE IN GROSVENOR SQUARE, and also a copy of Kathleen Y'Barbo's THE CONFIDENTIAL LIFE OF EUGENIA COOPER (all excellent reads, by the way).




Now, as I said, I've purchased one copy of each book through my eReader (just dreaming about the possibility of owning one), so I should be able to lend one copy of each book out. But, B&N said I could share with my bookclub. If I have six people in my bookclub and we're reading THE CONFIDENTIAL LIFE OF EUGENIA COOPER, then I can only lend to one person in the club, right?


As a writer, I want to know. Writing is a labor-intensive work of passion that consumes a large part of one's calendar, one's heart, yes--one's life. Authors, agents, and traditional publishers make money only on each book that has been purchased. I write a book, you buy it and download it to your Nook or Kindle, and then my agent, my publisher, and I get paid. You buy two copies of that book, we get paid two times. But if you lend that book out, and have the ability to do so many times at once when you've only made a single purchase of the book, then someone's not getting paid for all the eyes eating up the words author labored so hard over. See what I mean? I need to dig deeper and find out more.


The publishing world is changing so fast. Morning to afternoon the publishing world may have a different landscape.


The other thing about the Nook I wanted to mention (and there are quite a few things that I can mention) is that I have to applaud a great marketing device B&N is employing. You've heard that brick & mortar stores (the ones you actually walk into and pluck a paper-made book from the shelf then pay at a register) have been seeing less and less foot traffic. More people are purchasing through online stores.


In order to bring more folks into the stores:


1) Barnes & Noble will have the Nook in their stores for purchase. Now I've never held a Kindle, or any other eReader. Gosh, I don't even know anyone (with the exception of writer friends, agents, and editors) that own one. In my world, the average Joe doesn't own one, can't afford one, and has never touched one.


Now, if I've read their advertisement correctly, I sashay into my local Barnes & Noble brick & mortar-style store, and let my fingers caress the cold metal (or plastic) as I hold their new eReader in my hands (they can be pre-ordered now, but in your cute little paws no earlier than Nov. 30th--they, of course, want to give it enough time for word-of-mouth to become a frenzied froth). That's one way to get us into their stores at the height of the Christmas shopping season, isn't it?


2) 'Exclusive content' available to you when you're in your local B&N store with your Nook. Hmm...makes me want to trek a path there, with Nook in hand, just to see what that new 'content' is. Yet another way to get us in their doors--you are so clever B&N.


3) First Android(TM) based eReader. Okay, I don't know what that means, but you know that it will have men searching, like crazy, the pages of B&N online. Because, what man wouldn't want to have some sort of gadget that's Android(TM), even if it's only a gadgety thing inside their eReader. Oh, and speaking of gadgety, with the Nook, you have the ability to read eBooks on multiple devices vs. Kindle's iPhone & iPod Touch (only).


4) The Nook has a separate color touch screen at the bottom where you can scroll book covers across that lower screen. The upper, larger screen is the black-and-white area where you view your book pages/do your reading. I don't know what the Kindle does, it's never held my attention long enough to browse through all the pages of their advertisement. Why? I couldn't afford one! And it wasn't practical for me to go through the sofa cushions in search of $400-500 of change to buy one. Not even when they dropped the price to $399. Not even at $299. (Good move Kindle, get folks to buy before the announcement of the Nook, which is what? $50 cheaper and offers more, better, features. Sorry, $299 was still out of reach for me.) 
 
But, at $250, with all the sleek, svelte, and cat-like qualities of the new Nook, and the fact that I can hold it in my hot little hands come November 30th and lust for it as I touch it, that, I think, will awaken in my the urge to toss off delayed gratification. Yes, I can see it now, tuck it in the fold of my arm, plow my way through the endless crowd, and make my goal to the register. TOUCHDOWN! Until the Visa bill arrives, I'll be on one bliss-filled high with my new Nook.


What's next? Who's left to invent the next eReader and up the ante? Borders? No. Wal-Mart? They're selling books now, they want to undercut the competition in everything else. Why not them? I don't know...


In my dreams. $250, at this point, is still too high for this average American one-income family.


I love reading. And an eReader would be fun, even practical in some respects (more space in my house, less books). But is that necessarily a good thing? I don't know. I love books.


Do you remember back in the day, when the first cel phones came out? A guy had one at my high school. He carried it in the briefcase it needed to be stored in for travel to make it mobile, as I understand it anyway. The phone itself was bigger than a brick. Probably just as heavy. And, he came from the rich side of town. You're average American family didn't own a cel phone (or were they actually called mobile phones back then?) and didn't look like they'd ever be able to. Now look around. Everyone owns a cel phone. There are even disposable cel phones.




eReaders, how soon until we all own one? I've shared my concerns. I've also shared my thoughts on what I think is great about eReaders, especially the Nook.

Disclaimer: I am not, nor have I been offered compensation for promotion of an eReader device. (However, I will consider the matter should such an offer be made. I'm kidding. Mostly. No, I'm kidding. Mostly...)


Do you have an eReader? 
What do you like or dislike about it? 
What do you think about the Nook?

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12 comments

Crazy Monday Recipe (On Tuesday) Autumn Pumpkin Bread Loaves with Cream Cheese Frosting

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: | Posted On at 12:01 AM

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Autumn is my favorite season. Then winter. But we'll save winter for another time. For now, let's get a warm cup of coffee or tea and enjoy the deep rich flavor of a delicious pumpkin bread. If we're lucky, dear hubby and Lil Tiger will have left some for us, otherwise, we'll have to make another batch. They love pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin mousse, you name it. Just in case they finish it off before we can enjoy any, here's the recipe. Bon appetite!

Oven 350 degrees. 

Cooking time varies according to your pan size:

- Muffin pans - check at 18-25 min, then adjust as needed (can you tell I have no clue, my best guess)
- Two  loaf pans of 9 1/4 x 5 1/4 bake 1 1/2 hrs.
- Mini loaf pans of 5 1/2 x 3 size loaf pans (like I've used in the picture) bake 55 minutes

Pans should be greased & floured before making batter.

Mix together the following ingredients in the order listed.

4 c. all-purpose flour

3 c. sugar

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp allspice

1 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 c. oil

1 15 oz can of pumpkin

2/3 c. water

4 eggs




Cream Cheese Frosting

 Mix the following until blended & creamy, then pipe onto you muffins or slice of pumpkin bread.

1/4 c. softened butter
4 oz. softened cream cheese
1/2 lb. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla




Store in frosting in the refrigerator or it will soften too much. Frost on completely cooled bread. If you can't wait for the bread to cool, then go ahead, live a little wild!






How about you? Do you have a favorite pumpkin recipe to share? 



 I'd love to post it, or you can post it in the comments--come on, don't be shy!
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2 comments

Billy Coffey's Debut Novel ~ Snow Days ~ Releasing Early 2010

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: | Posted On at 12:03 AM

I'm flip-flopping Crazy Monday Recipes with Billy Coffey Tuesday. Today, I want to tell you something you may already know, and if you don't, you'll rejoice with half the internet at the news that our friend, Billy Coffey, is now published!


His book debut novel, Snow Days, will be available in early 2010. Thank you FaithWords & Rachelle Gardner for believing in him for what we've known to be true for quite a while now--this man can write! We can't wait to savor the words from his novel & hold the book in our eager little hands.




Well, we've been visiting Billy's blog-porch for a season now. I'd like for you to get to know him a little better, a little deeper. Please come with me over to his NEW site (www.BillyCoffey.com) to read about his 'Come to Jesus Moment'. It's a good one, but then, they always are, arent they? Go ahead, grab a tasty treat and your favorite glass or cup full--let's go visit our friend, Billy. Click the pic below to be taken to this really wonderful story. Subscribe to his website, too, please. And, as always, feel free to poke around while you're there. Good stuff! My Come to Jesus Moment - We're ready, he's waiting, so let's go!




2 comments

The Countryhouse Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard - COMING SOON!

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: , , | Posted On at 7:20 PM





Watch for my upcoming interview with Linore Rose Burkard!



And, maybe even a character interview too!



And GIVEAWAYS, GIVEAWAYS, GIVEAWAYS!!!
0 comments

Meet Rebecca ~ from The Reluctant Homefront blog!

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: | Posted On at 12:35 AM

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Hello dear friends, so glad you came today. We're going to play a game! Yes! I found this over at my friend, Rebecca's website, The Reluctant Homefront. Please visit her, follow her, comment on her blog. She's a sweet lady who visits us with comments here. So, I'd love for you to get to know her better. And one way we'll start that is to play this game. I'm giving her answers first, then following hers I'll provide mine.

Answer the questions using only one word (here's Rebecca's):

1. Where is your cell phone? time-out

2. Birth order? first

3. Last thing you ate? words

4. Your mother? beautiful

5. Your father? impressive

6. Your favorite? books

7. Your dream last night? nah

8. Your favorite drink? cocoa

9. Your dream/goal? off-the-wall

10. What room you are in? living

11. Your hobby? obsession

12. Your fear? crazy

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? dunno

14. Where were you last night? Mosul

15. Something that you aren't? brunette

16. Muffins? blueberry

17. Wish list item? peace

18. Where you grew up? hometown

19. Last thing you did? comment

20. What are you wearing? lunch

21. Your TV? off

22. Your pets? barking

23. Friends? crazier

24. Your life? fantasy

25. Your mood? cantankerous

26. Missing someone? Hubby

27. Car? loud

28. Something you're not wearing? CrownJewels

29. Your favorite store? Walmart

30. Your favorite color? cerulean

33. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday

34. Last time you cried? yestereve

35. Who will resend this? None

36. One place that I go to over and over? restroom


And now, here are my answers (if you could call them that):

1. Where is your cell phone? Huh...?

2. Birth order? first

3. Last thing you ate? crow

4. Your mother? hilarious!

5. Your father? great!

6. Your favorite? sons

7. Your dream last night? What??!!!

8. Your favorite drink? water

9. Your dream/goal? 3John1:4

10. What room you are in? family

11. Your hobby? Time???

12. Your fear? hopelessness

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? published

14. Where were you last night? snuggling

15. Something that you aren't? Well-rested

16. Muffins? Mmmmmmm!

17. Wish list item? vacation

18. Where you grew up? Haven't

19. Last thing you did? grinned

20. What are you wearing? ballroomgown

21. Your TV? droning

22. Your pets? asleep

23. Friends? gifts

24. Your life? ironic

25. Your mood? curious

26. Missing someone? SONS

27. Car? reliable

28. Something you're not wearing? wig

29. Your favorite store? book

30. Your favorite color? blue

33. When is the last time you laughed? now

34. Last time you cried? today

35. Who will resend this? Whoknows...?

36. One place that I go to over and over? C-R-A-Z-Y


Click here to visit Rebecca's website.  


Now it's your turn. 
Can you comment on at least 5-10 of these?

6 comments

Pete Wilson Friday ~ Come follow along!

Posted by Tina Dee Books | Labels: | Posted On at 12:21 AM

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I love Fridays & Tuesdays. We follow two of my favorite blogs. If I don't get to go anywhere else, I visit Pete Wilson's and Billy Coffey's blogs everyday. In fact, I visit them more often than I visit my own blog! Seriously, not kidding on that.

Please follow along and bring your praying heart. We're following Pete Wilson today, and he's sharing things that are in need of our tender prayers to the One Who can answer them, the Only One.

I know I ask this time and again, but please sign up for Pete's blog. Have a look around, you'll find some great posts to make you laugh, think, and even cry--okay, maybe not the men who come here, but we ladies need a cleansing cry every now and then.

Grab a cuppa and come along to Without Wax by Pete Wilson. Just click the pic below for today's special selection from Pete's blog: Wanted: Your Prayers. Or click his name in the opening paragraph of this post and you'll be taken to the current post on his blog.


Well, they are!
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