Lyn Cote's Blog, page 28

Lyn’s Christmas Card to You!

If you visit my Facebook page
you will see a lovely Jacquie Lawson Christmas card that will give you a taste of the northwoods. I wish you a lovely, warm and peaceful Christmas. –Lyn Cote

The post Lyn’s Christmas Card to You! appeared first on booksbylyncote.com.

Author Patricia Hickman Shares Handling Grief Through the Holidays

My guest today is best-selling Author Patricia Hickman, who lost her teen daughter. She will be sharing some of her thoughts and devotions today and on the next few Thursdays. If you have a friend who is grieving the loss of a loved one, you might want to direct her here. For comfort and to read how another person coped with loss. Here’s Patricia.


Grief Recovery Through the Holidays
By Patricia Hickman
After the sudden loss of our daughter, Jessica, we were warned by other grieving parents of the “dreaded holiday season.” Our family had always enjoyed our Christmas fanaticism, the neighborhood lights competitions, and the many annual traditions we practiced. Having loss thrust on us suddenly, we had to reconstruct Christmas. The old traditions were too painful so it became evident that we were going to have to create a new normalcy for the holidays. Because it had always been our tradition to hang the old handmade tree ornaments made by our children over the years, pulling those precious keepsakes out for me as a mom was devastating. We discussed the issue with our sons and agreed that for at least a couple of years, we were going to keep the tree in temporary retirement.
Whether it is a tree or some other family heirloom that reminds you of the loved one you have lost, thinking of putting those types of triggers out of sight in advance of the holiday season could help to alleviate some of the stressors that may negatively affect your raw emotions.
However, that didn’t mean we were going to force our boys to sit around the house glum-faced. A friend passed along a timeshare that first Christmas so we visited an island in South Carolina, a new experience for us all that created a fresh memory. We were surprised at how a change of scenery lifted our hearts out of the doldrums. The condo came with a full kitchen and we all cooked something different and fun, but not laborious.
After several years, my holiday spirit did return, the ornaments were pulled out, and I was glad to return to our old Christmas traditions.
The best gift a grieving person can give to him/herself is permission–permission to change traditions, to create new normals, to kindly say “no” to social settings that place high expectations on you. The practice of reflecting and memorializing brings more comfort than you know. Personal memorials aid your recovery like a healing balm. Holding a candle lighting service in honor of your loved one can be a comfort and allow you to reflect positively about the one you are missing. Our youngest son and I collected miniature ornaments that we felt his sister would love. We found a miniature tree with battery operated lights. We decorated the little tree, took it to the cemetery, and gave it to our Jess for Christmas. We felt as though somehow she knew and was there with us. Just as we were leaving the cemetery, a soft winter rain let go and in the dim grayness, we could see Jess’s tree shining out. It was a reminder of the light of Christ that had always shown forth from her heart. That is the power of memory-on-purpose. Purposeful memories bring comfort.
The best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to be certain that you don’t fall into the denial patterns of trying to act like nothing has changed. Of course everything has changed from this time forth. By acknowledging that change, you fill that empty space with new memories and reflections; you grieve freely and positively.
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” 2 Cor. 4:8-10 NLT
Thanks, Patricia. I’m awed that you were able to face the grief and deal with it. I’ve seen families destroyed by the loss of a child. God bless you and your family.
Do any of you have any helpful hints about how to deal with loss at the holidays? Tell us your stories.


Click cover below to purchase:
[image error]
This is Patricia’s latest book. Drop by http://patriciahickman.com/ for more info about her and her great books!
SaveSave
SaveSave
SaveSave

The post Author Patricia Hickman Shares Handling Grief Through the Holidays appeared first on booksbylyncote.com.

Monday Dec 11th, A Christmas Tea with an Author-Lyn Cote!

I’m participating in “A Christmas Tea with an Author” on Facebook, which will include fun games and of course, PRIZES!

The final day is tomorrow with author Erica Vetsch.

Here’s the link.  https://www.facebook.com/events/146905602613636/  Hope you’ll drop in during the tea. AND WIN BIG!

The post Monday Dec 11th, A Christmas Tea with an Author-Lyn Cote! appeared first on booksbylyncote.com.

Author Lauralee Bliss Shares How She Prepares for a Less Stressful Holiday

Author Laurlee Bliss shared this article several years ago but it’s still timely–don’t you agree??
My guest today is Author Lauralee Bliss who gives us a lot of ways to simplify our Christmas preparations–which BTW are nearly upon us! Here’s Lauralee:
“As soon as I see the month of December looming, I must admit that a certain panic sets in. Oh, the amount of work to be done! Not only in gift buying for the family but wrapping the gifts, decorating, cards, cookies and parties, and of course, Christmas Day itself. Don’t you just get dizzy reading this? My head is already spinning….
Okay, so I take a deep breath. I am a brave and courageous woman, faced with a multitude of responsibilities. And I do thank my dear Lord for giving me organizational skills that can really be useful this time of year. Without them, I know I would never be able to accomplish it all. Everything I listed is important to me. But I refuse to stress over it. I take it one step at a time. After all, this is supposed to be a joyous time of year. So I look at the calendar and begin making plans.
Cards.
When do cards need to be done so people receive them on time? Order the cads (especially picture cards which are easy and come with signatures) now. Address envelopes while Christmas music is playing (that always soothes me). I order my cards online (like at Walmart.com) and have them shipped right to the store to save postage and time.
Decorating the house.
Decide how or what you need to do. If we are having a party at the house, for example, we take more time to decorate it thoughtfully. Another idea is to make decorating a party itself. Invite family and friends to participate or make it your own family tradition. Have the kids and dad decorate the outside while you and the girls tackle the inside. Make sure to have the Christmas music playing. Order pizza for dinner so you don’t have to worry about a meal.
Gifts.
I tend to shop all year ’round so hopefully most of my shopping is done. But I have also participated in an annual event at my church that is fun. The first Monday in December, the ladies pile into a minivan and head for the big shopping mall in Virginia for a day of shopping . What fun to be with others and get the shopping done, too. It’s a chance to fellowship and even brainstorm ideas for gifts.
Christmas cookies.
Are you going to a party? Then decide on some easy cookie recipes to make. Don’t try to make complicated cookies in difficult shapes and / or with fillings (unless you really want too, of course!). For me, time is precious. I love, for example, my old stand-by–
Betty Crocker’s Russian Tea Cakes (or I call them Mexican Wedding Cakes).
A simple yet elegant cookie for a cookie exchange or a party. The snow white color and delicate buttery flavor is wonderful. And they are so simple to make, with only a few ingredients.

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

½ cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 ¼ cups flour

¾ cup finely chopped nuts

¼ teaspoon salt

Powdered sugar

1. Heat oven to 400ºF.

2. Mix butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and the vanilla in large bowl. Stir in flour, nuts and salt until dough holds together.

3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set but not brown. Remove from cookie sheet. Cool slightly on wire rack.

5. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar; cool on wire rack. Roll in powdered sugar again.
These are a few ideas to making the December madness a little less maddening and more joyous. But above all, take time to pamper yourself. Like picking up a good Christmas novel.”–Lauralee

Here’s Lauralee’s latest book.Click the cover for more info.–Lyn

[image error]

 

The post Author Lauralee Bliss Shares How She Prepares for a Less Stressful Holiday appeared first on booksbylyncote.com.

Interested in a Christmas Tea with a Favorite or a New to You Author?

Here’s the schedule
I’m participating in “A Christmas Tea with an Author” on Facebook. Here are the participating authors and days they will host the tea. which will include fun games and of course, PRIZES!
Dec 1 Sherri Preble Shackelford
Dec 4 Louise M Gouge
Dec 5 Karen Kirst
Dec 6 Winnie Duplessis Griggs
Dec 7 Janet Lee Barton
Dec 8 Keli Gwyn
Dec 11 Lyn Cote
Dec 12 Erica Vetsch
Here’s the link.  https://www.facebook.com/events/146905602613636/  Hope you’ll drop in during the tea. AND WIN BIG!

The post Interested in a Christmas Tea with a Favorite or a New to You Author? appeared first on booksbylyncote.com.

Lyn Reviews Jan Karon’s At Home in Mitford

At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you haven’t read any of the Mitford Novels, why not? No matter what your faith, you will love the people in that small NC mountain town. I gave it 4 stars because the beginning moves a bit slowly but Jan Karon knows how to scatter crumbs that keep you reading. And such a variety of characters: JC Hogan, Mule Skinner, Percy Mosely, Emma the church secretary, and on. They are unique and yet just like people you know in real life. I read this many years ago, but decided to read it again. It never fails to charm and inspire me. So go check out this book and start your “life” in Mitford.

View all my reviews

Here’s a large view of the cover, Click it if you’d like to purchase it.
[image error]

The post Lyn Reviews Jan Karon’s At Home in Mitford appeared first on booksbylyncote.com.

Want to Win a Google Home?

Well, I’ll admit it. I had no idea what a Google Home was but I think it’s like an Amazon Alexa.
Do you ever feel like you’re living in an episode of THE JETSONS? I don’t think I’m ready for a Google Home, but if you are–here’s a way to try to win one.

 

 

You might also be interested in some free and discounted books. I have one under Christian fiction. Here’s the link  Just click and see what’s happening. The offer ends 11/30/17. Let me know if you win!–Lyn

 

The post Want to Win a Google Home? appeared first on booksbylyncote.com.

WI Author Jolina Petersheim & Harvest Medley

My guest today is a fellow Wisconsinite, though a newbie. Driftless Region she mentions is a very beautiful and scenic farming area of Wisconsin and also is the location of the touristy Wisconsin Dells. Here’s Jolina:
Self-Sufficient lifestyle
I never knew I’d soon be attempting a “self-sufficient life” when I started writing my third book, The Alliance, which revolves around an Old Order Mennonite woman whose pacifist beliefs are called into question as she struggles to sustain her family in a post-Apocalyptic state.
But maybe God was trying to help me transition from our dream home in Tennessee to a solar-powered farm in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin. Regardless, I am grateful for this transition and for this new way of life.
Attempts to live efficiently
Here are a few ways we’re attempting to live “efficiently.”
For nine months (most of them in winter!), I’ve been hanging my clothes on the line.
Our water—in the summer—is heated by our solar-panels and is actually scorching if we don’t add cold.
I’ve started making my own yogurt with milk from a local dairy farm (who knew that an oven could be an incubator, ’cause I sure didn’t!).
My husband recently butchered our cornish X rocks (I was too chicken – pun! – so just stood around and watched); and for weeks now we’ve been harvesting a bounty of radishes, lettuce, beets, carrots, onions, zucchini, squash, and tomatoes.

Since I’ve been trying to live off our garden as much as possible, I will share one of my favorite (and very simple) recipes that our family’s been eating about twice a week this summer.

Harvest Medley
Beets have gotten a bad rap.
I, for one, know that I abhorred them as a child and quickly passed the relish tray whenever they were presented to me at Thanksgiving or Christmastime.
However, I love them roasted with sweet potatoes or carrots and red onions. Not only do they look beautiful together (all that vibrant color!), they are delicious and good for you!
First, you harvest the beets, carrots, and onions from the garden. (Sorry, Jolina, I live in the woods even a fence can’t keep the critters out! I tried.)
Keep a kitchen knife with you because it’s easier to hack off the leaves and toss them on your compost pile rather than dragging all that dirt into your house. (Raccoons eat my compost. Sigh…)
Scrub the beets and carrots free of more dirt and then peel.
Use a mandolin slicer to dice the veggies, but be careful not to nick your fingers (my husband can’t even watch me do this because I’ve had one too many close calls!).
Layer the veggies on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, maple syrup (if you want the beets more sweet than savory), sea salt, and pepper.
Convention bake at 375 degrees for one hour, mixing the veggies every fifteen minutes.
That’s it! If you really want to have fun with this, you could place these veggies on a salad with some fresh warm peaches, toasted almonds, buttermilk ranch dressing, and goat cheese.
I’m not kidding! I had that concoction at my favorite local restaurant where I write once a week, and it was delicious!

Bon appetit!
my friends! I hope you this post encourages you to live a simple, beautiful life and to also give beets another try!–Jolina
And here’s her latest book, the sequel to The Allicance. Click the cover to purchase or learn more.–Lyn
[image error]

The post WI Author Jolina Petersheim & Harvest Medley appeared first on booksbylyncote.com.

Author Susan May Warren & The Inspiring Story of a Strong Woman

This was first posted on February 17, 2009 and I think it’s worth publishing again.
Susan May Warren is an acquaintance whom I hope to get to know better. After you read her story of finding strength in prayers, you’ll want to get to know her better too.
Here’s Susan:
“Prey!
My husband Andrew and I served as missionaries in Russia for eight years with our four children. After eight years, Russia had begun to feel like home. I understood the language, and culture, I dressed like a Russian, ate Russian food, vacationed with my Russian friends, and felt at home in my adopted country.
But see, it’s when things are most comfortable that God asks us to step in faith. Because He wants us to need Him.
And on March 1, 2002, at 1:15pm, in the middle of Far East Russia, I did.
Probably I should have paid attention to the warning signs. About two days before, my husband, Andrew was outside walking the dog when an elderly man stumbled up to him. Smelling like a brewery, but with remarkably clear eyes, he said, “I don’t want anything from you. I’m not going to ask for money or anything. I just want to know one thing.”
Andrew stopped, his curiosity pricked, keeping a careful distance.
“Why are you here?” the man asked. “I mean, don’t you know it is dangerous? There are people here who hunt foreigners. You’re like prey.”
Prey. That word took on new meaning the afternoon in March. My youngest children, Peter, age seven and Noah, age five had just left to walk the dog just outside our flat. During the time they were outside, three men snuck into our home. Five minutes later, the boys and the dog returned. I locked the door, turned around…and the bandits attacked.
With the intent to frighten more than injure, one used force to push me into my office. Meanwhile, another black-hooded thug grabbed a knife and rounded up my four children in a bedroom, threatening them to keep them quiet.
Good Christian kids that they are, they huddled and prayed.

The thieves demanded our money, my jewelry and began assembling our electronics for removal.
I closed my eyes and I prayed.
In Russia, with break-in occurring more often, it isn’t unheard of to find the victims slaughtered, the thieves reluctant to leave behind eyewitnesses. My only hope of defense was Heavenly.
Suddenly, as if shocked by some supernatural electrical force, the thieves jumped up, shouted…and ran out, leaving their weapon and our electronics behind.
I followed them, slammed the door behind them, my heart in my throat and ran for the children. We collapsed into a crying, grateful huddle.
The overwhelming theme of this event is that prayer matters. Without a doubt, God intervened and kept us alive.
Our mission board immediately sent our traumatized family to a counseling center in Taiwan. Our children were shaken, afraid to sleep at night, afraid to let us out of their sight. They clung to us at odd times. Instead of running stateside, however, our mission board wanted to see if we could stay, at least through the summer if not for another term.
God drew us close while we were in Taiwan, comforting and reminding us of His love. We spent much time in prayer, asking God for direction. He didn’t erase our nightmares, but assured us that we could hold on, tight, to His promises to carry us through the flames of fear, suffering and hardship.
We returned to Russia in the beginning of April, eyes fixed on the summer projects. We made adjustments – installed a security system, changed our dog-walking procedures. Most of all we strove to keep our eyes on the LORD Who had shown Himself sufficient, again and again in our lives.
Prey may be a term used for foreigners, but as we headed into out the last months of our ministry, our key word was – Pray.
Because prayer became my lifeline. My children refused to leave my side for four months, and every time we left our apartment (read: every day, since someone had to go buy food), we huddled at the door. The attackers hadn’t been caught. But we couldn’t stay prisoners. So, we prayed. We prayed our way out of the door, and down the stairs, and all the way to the market. We prayed through market, and all the way back home into our flat. No, maybe we didn’t actually breathe the words aloud every step of the way, but my heart was ever reaching for the sufficiency of the Lord.
We prayed our way through that summer. And into the furlough year, and even now, as I write novels for the glory of God. Because when I reach out to God, I discover that He’s already there, arms around me. Holding me up. If I’m to be known by one word, I’d like it not be Prey….but rather, the woman who Prays.”
Susan May Warren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 24 books. She and her family make their home on the north shore of Lake Superior. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com

Here’s her latest book! Congrats, Susan!–Lyn

The post Author Susan May Warren & The Inspiring Story of a Strong Woman appeared first on booksbylyncote.com.

A New Book In Northern Intrigue series!

BLURB:
Happily single, Winter Woodard who inherited her grandfather’s nursery is looking forward to a busy, fun fall and holiday season.
And it all begins with her cousin’s wedding where Winter meets the man the ladies around town have been buzzing about. Single by choice, Clay Dixon, the very successful football coach at the local high school, has rebuffed all offers of “home-cooked meals,” keeping the female population at bay. That’s fine with Winter. She’s her own woman, thank you very much.
Then bad things begin to happen. And unexpectedly Clay Dixon stands by her through a holiday season fraught with unnerving and destructive setbacks.
Is someone out to ruin Woodard Greenery’s, all she has left of her beloved grandfather and mother?
Welcome to Steadfast, a small town whose people and mysteries you may never forget~Lyn
Click here to purchase.

The post A New Book In Northern Intrigue series! appeared first on booksbylyncote.com.