Deborah Vogts's Blog, page 100

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes. This weekend, we're moving our middle daughter back to college, but this will be her last semester there! Enjoy your weekend! 
Steak and Shrimp Shish Kabobs
Homemade Pancake Syrup
Frozen Strawberry Pie

National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

 If you ever travel through Strong City, KS, be sure to visit the National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, located 2 miles north on National Scenic Byway K-177. They have added a lot of great stuff to this place in the last year, so be sure to check out the visitor's center as well as the building structures. 
In 1881, Stephen F Jones completed the three story stone mansion at a cost of $25,000. I don't know about you, but I think I could have handled living in such a home back then. 
A short time later, construction of a massive three-story barn and stable was completed, measuring 110 x 60 feet and costing $15,000.
We loved the barn cat...and I think she loved us, too. 
What a view from the second floor of the barn.
I especially enjoyed the lower level tour of the barn, which had always been closed to tourists before. Loved the old buckboard and stables.
I can just imagine climbing this tree. It would have made a great tree house! 
Mr. Jones also built the Lower Fox Creek School for his daughter and neighboring children, which sets about a mile from the home. Jones sold his property in 1888, having only lived lived in this home for 9 1/2 years. 

Book Preview ~ A Bride for All Seasons

1800s mail-order bride catalogs facilitated many happy marriages. Here are the stories of four couples who owe their wedded bliss to creative editing by The Hitching Post publisher.

"And Then Came Spring"--Margaret Brownley
When mail order bride Mary-Jo Parker arrives in town she receives the shock of her life; not only is her fiancé dead, he left behind an eight-year-old son he neglected to mention. But the biggest challenge of all is the boy's way-too-handsome uncle.

"An Ever-After Summer"--Debra Clopton
Widower Matt McConnell wrote his ad with no room for misunderstanding--Bible believers need not apply. But then Bible-thumping Ellie shows up on his doorstep. Matt's so desperate for her help that he accepts.

"Autumn's Angel"--Robin Lee Hatcher
Luvena Abbott's privileged childhood didn't prepare her for the hardship she now faces as an adult, especially when it comes to being the guardian of her nieces and nephew. Marriage seems the only answer to her dilemma. Clay Birch hopes to change the hurdy-gurdy house he won in a poker game into the finest opera house in the Northwest, but he'll need help to do it. Could this unlikely couple actually be the perfect match?

"Winter Wedding Bells"--Mary Connealy
David Laramie is looking for a woman to care for his children. In exchange he'll make her financially comfortable for life. But no woman wants to marry a dying man. Then Megan responds to his ad. It seems his "edited" letter contained no mention of him dying.

Buy the book HERE.

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes. Enjoy! 
Stir Fry Vegetables with Shrimp
Southwest Bean Salad
Featured Author, Dabney Hedegard's Baby Dutch Pancakes
And for fun, some Camping Menu Ideas you might enjoy! 

The Vogts Sisters to Perform in Ozark, MO

This Friday, our daughters will be performing at the 2nd Street Coffee in Ozark, MO. This will be their first time to sing in Missouri, so we're excited to be expanding our reach of audience. 

If you're in the Springfield-Branson area, make plans to attend. Show starts at 7:00 PM. Come out and enjoy some great music, yummy food, and delicious coffee. 

Book Preview ~ Into the Whirlwind

 Into the Whirlwind, by Elizabeth Camden

As owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company, Mollie Knox's future looks bright until the night the legendary Great Chicago Fire destroys her beloved city. With her world crumbling around her, Mollie will do whatever it takes to rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

Zack Kazmarek, an influential attorney for one of Chicago's finest department stores, is a force to be reckoned with among the city's most powerful citizens. Bold and shrewd, he's accustomed to getting exactly what he wants--until he meets Mollie Knox, the beguiling businesswoman just beyond his reach.

In the tumult as the people of Chicago race to rebuild a bigger and better city, Mollie comes face-to-face with the full force of Zack's character and influence. Zack believes this may finally be his chance to win her, but can Mollie ever accept this man and his whirlwind effect on her life, especially with her treasured company on the line?

Elizabeth Camden, author of The Lady of Bolton Hill, The Rose of Winslow Street, and Against the Tide, received a master's in history from the University of Virginia and a master's in library science from Indiana University. She is a research librarian by day and scribbles away on her next novel by night. Elizabeth lives with her husband in Florida. Learn more at www.elizabethcamden.com.

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes. Enjoy your weekend! 
Mediterranean Vegetable Salad
Frozen Key Lime Pie
Thousand Island Dressing

And as a special treat, here are a few Chuck Wagon Dinner Menu Ideas. 

July Book Drawing Winner

The winner of my July Book Drawing is Cindy A. Thanks to all who entered the contest. Look for my August book drawing later this month.
Please email me at debvogts[at]gmail[dot]com! 

County Fair 2013

We had another great year at the Neosho County Fair. The weather was uncommonly cool for most of the week--something we're so very thankful for. 
 Our youngest daughter had a great year, winning three grand champion awards in her 4-H projects. 
Her reading project of original poems won grand champion
As did her sketch of a girl in the window
It rained the morning of the horse show, but the judge went ahead and ran the events. Abbey was soaked but received three blues for her efforts. 
Here she is selling her grand champion chocolate raspberry cake at the auction Monday night. We learned this week that The Vogts Sisters will be performing at the Kansas State Fair on Friday, September 6. We're excited to be going to Hutchinson! Check HERE for more information.  

Book Preview ~ Love in the Balance

Love in the Balance by Regina Jennings

Molly Lovelace dreams of being a society leader in 1879 Lockhart, Texas, but being smitten with handsome wrangler Bailey Garner doesn't seem the quickest route. If only he would settle down so he could support a family.

Bailey imagines doing great things for God, but his greatest obstacle is Molly. As long as he thought they'd be married, he excused their stolen kisses, but when she keeps refusing, he vows to earn her love. In town, he tries his hand at several different trades, but everywhere he turns he runs into the mysterious stranger Edward Pierrepont. No surprise that Molly's always making calf eyes at the wealthy adventurer.

As pressure from Molly's parents grows she is forced into a hasty decision. Had she weighed all her options and will she find love in the balance? Purchase the book HERE.


Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children. Learn more about Regina and her books HERE.