Deborah Vogts's Blog, page 109

Are You a Downton Abbey Fan?

I admit it ... I'm a hopeless fan of Downton Abbey. I became hooked on the TV series on PBS Masterpiece Theatre last winter when my youngest daughter and I watched the first few episodes on our computer (while hubby watched football on TV.) Tiring of that, I managed to find the series on Netflix, so we caught up on the first season and then talked my hubby into watching the remaining second season episodes together on TV. The third season began airing earlier this month. We are enjoying it tremendously.
And what's not to love? 
Its Setting: 1900's Brittish Aristicracy using the real Highclere Castle as Downton Abbey. Lush beautiful scenery, lavish decorations, authentic costumes, extravagant table settings--oh my!
The Family: Lord Crawley, Earl of Grantham and Lady Cora Crawley, their three daughters, Lady Mary, Lady Edith, and Lady Sybil, their families and of course the staff.
Quippy Lines: Actress Maggie Smith, recent Golden Globe winner for her role as The Dowager Countess of Grantham, never fails to offer us a few chuckles in each episode.
Intriguing Plot between upstairs and downstairs cast: Our favorite character plots are the love stories between Mr. Bates and Anna and Lady Mary and Matthew, the ongoing wrestle of power between Thomas and Mrs. Hughes, and the nitty-gritty problems facing Lady Edith and Lady Sybil. But truly, it's all good.
So, what are you waiting for? Check out this season's schedule HERE. And if you are already a fan of Downton Abbey, what do you like most about the show? Do you have a favorite character(s)? What do you think is in store for us in Season 3? (no spoilers, please.)

This Week's Recipes

Our household has been hit with the flu bug the past two weeks, but I think we're finally getting ahead of it. I hope your families are staying healthy. If not, remember to do as your mama taught you--drink plenty of fluids and have some chicken noodle soup. I also like jello with a little fruit added into it, or tapioca pudding. Here are this week's additions on Country at Heart Recipes. Stay healthy!  
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli and Cauliflower
Country Rice Cereal
And a bonus recipe for Chicken Soup with Wild Rice

Meet Luther the Labrador

This past Christmas, my husband surprised the girls and I with a new puppy--and 8-week old black Labrador.
After his first bath, the girls named him Luther.
Luther likes to sleep.
He sleeps a lot. More adventures to come . . . 

Book Preview ~ A Hidden Truth

Judith Miller is an award winning and best-selling author of historical fiction for Bethany House Publishers. With a love of history, a dash of romance and a touch of mystery, Judith transports her readers to another time and place. Her passion for history and love of God keep her inspired. Judy blogs with four other historical novelists at Writes of Passage .

A Hidden Truth, Book 1 - Home to Amana Seriesby Judith Miller
When Karlina Richter finds out that a new shepherd will be sent to East Amana, she fears she’ll no longer be able to help her father with the sheep. She’ll be relegated back to kitchen work, a job she dislikes. Her fears increase when Anton Becker arrives and shows little interest in the flock–or in divulging why he’s been sent to East. Dare she trust Anton to help her father, or is he keeping secrets that will impact them all?

After learning that her father will be transferred from Cincinnati to a job in Texas, Dovie Cates decides she wants to visit the Amana Colonies, where her mother spent her formative years. She writes to relatives still living in the Colonies and is invited to spend some time there. Soon after her arrival, Dovie meets Berndt, the handsome young man who delivers bread to the kitchen house each day. But when Dovie begins to ask questions about her mother’s past, no one seems willing to tell her anything, so Dovie decides to take matters into her own hands. Will her decision spell disaster for her future with Berndt? Learn more about Judith's book on her Website HERE.

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions on Country at Heart Recipes. Are you getting snow today? Enjoy your weekend!
Shepherd's Pie
Applesauce Spice Cake
Tanya Eavenson's Chocolate Mousse

Looking Back and Peeking Forward

As we begin the new year, I thought it might be nice to take a few moments to look back on some of the highlights from 2012.
Our oldest daughter and son-in-law moved back to Kansas and now own their first home--less than two hours from us--vs a two day trip to Phoenix. 
Our other daughters formed a singing duo called The Vogts Sisters. We spent a good deal of our time the past six months working on that project that climaxed with the release of their debut cd, Old Time Noise and two auditorium concerts. You may learn more about their music on their Website/blog. 
Chris's grandpa passed away in October at the ripe old age of 95. 
My husband surprised us with a new addition to our family this Christmas to replace our previous puppy, Zoey, who disappeared from our home earlier in the fall.


I added a lot of recipes to my Country at Heart Recipe blog and look forward to adding even more in 2013. Check them out HERE.
Movies we watched at the theater this past year:

War HorseSnow White and The HuntsmanLincolnThe Hobbit
Favorite books I read in 2012 (out of 20):
Rose of Winslow Street, by Elizabeth CamdenThe Maid of Fairbourne Hall, by Julie KlassenMy Stubborn Heart, by Becky WadeSixty Acres and a Bride by Regina JenningsAgainst the Tide, by Elizabeth Camden
And now a peek ahead at a few things we hope to celebrate in 2013:Finishing my third book, and beginning a new writing project.Welcoming my first grandbaby into the world in March.Listening to beautiful music crafted by our two talented daughters, more concerts, and perhaps another cd release.Celebrating with our middle daughter as she graduates from college next December.Many more wonderful surprises!"The steadfast love of the lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

If you had something wonderful happen to you in 2012 and would like to share with us, please do so in the comment section below. May God bless you and your families in 2013. Enjoy the moments . . . 

Book Preview ~ Doctor to the Rescue

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingDoctor To The RescueLove Inspired (December 18, 2012) byCheryl Wyatt
Born Valentine’s Day on a Navy base, Cheryl Wyatt writes military romance. Her Steeple Hill debuts earned RT Top Picks plus #1 and #4 on eHarlequin's Top 10 Most-Blogged-About-Books, lists including NYT Bestsellers. Cheryl loves interacting with her readers and can be found almost daily on Facebook.

Word from the Author:
I do regular giveaways including a Kindle for every 250 people who join (aka "Like) my Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/CherylWyattAuthor and I'd LOVE for word to spread about that. We have a lot of fun there as I ask for frequent reader input on current books, with helpers being mentioned in the acknowledgements and fun stuff like that.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Combat doctor Ian Shupe returns home from overseas with his most important mission: to raise his little girl. But Ian's a single dad, and working at Eagle Point's trauma center means having to find child care. When bighearted, struggling lodge owner Bri Landis offers babysitting in exchange for construction work, Ian accepts. He vows to keep his emotional distance from Bri, yet can't deny that his daughter is blossoming under her tender care. But is he ready to believe that his heart's deepest prayer may finally be answered? If you would like to read the first chapter of Doctor To The Rescue, go HERE.

This Week's Recipes

Here are some new additions at Country at Heart Recipes. Enjoy your weekend! 
Fried Apples
Cranberry Almond Cookies
Party Sausages

Book Preview ~ Flight of the Earls

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingFlight of the EarlsB&H Books (January 1, 2013) byMichael Reynolds
Michael K. Reynolds is the writer and producer of Emmy and Telly Award-winning film campaigns and has more than two decades of experience in fiction, journalism, copywriting, and documentary production. He owns Global Studio, a marketing agency, and is also an active leader in church and business, speaking in both ministry and corporate settings. Michael lives with his wife and three children in Reno, Nevada.



ABOUT THE BOOK
It’s 1846 in Ireland. When her family’s small farm is struck by famine, Clare Hanley and her younger brother, Seamus, set out across the ocean to the Promised Land of America. Five years prior, Clare’s older sister Margaret and her Uncle Tomas emigrated in similar fashion and were not to be heard from again. But Clare must face her fears as she lands in the coming-of-age city of New York. There she discovers love, adventure, tragedy, and a terrible secret which threatens to destroy her family and all she believes. Flight of the Earls is the first book in a historical novel trilogy based on Irish immigration in the 1840s. If you'd like to read the first chapter, go HERE

Christmas Time with Family

Another Christmas has passed--all too quickly. Here are a few pictures from our family gatherings. May God bless you in the New Year.  
Our daughters building gingerbread cottages.
The gingerbread village
Christmas Eve 
Christmas Day with our kids
A surprise Christmas present from Dad. More posts to come on the new addition to our family.