Deborah Vogts's Blog, page 132

Colorado Vacation

Camping Vacation - Silverton, CO

 This past month my family and I went on a vacation to Silverton, CO, a favorite camping destination of ours. We haven't had a vacation for 5 years, so this one was highly anticipated all summer. Especially so, since we met our oldest daughter and her husband from Phoenix there.

We like to camp at South Mineral Campgrounds in the San Juan National Forest. Surrounded by mountains and bordering a cold mountain stream, it's a gorgeous place to set up camp. At 9800 feet, it's plenty cold in the morning, a few of them recorded at 39 degrees--a huge change from the triple digit temperatures we were experiencing in Kansas. 

I know many people aren't interested in "tent" camping, but I enjoy it . . . just as long as I have a bathroom (even if it's a vault), and a fresh water spigot is handy too.  

Give me a campfire at night, stars above, the sound of a stream trickling in the near distance (not rain), or possibly the footfall of a wild animal or two . . . these are the things I look forward to.  

This being the rainy season in Colorado, it rained nearly every day, but usually stopped enough to give us time to enjoy our day. During those times, we hiked trails, visited the mining towns of Ouray and Silverton, drove to the ghost town of Animas Forks and took in the great outdoors.

In the evening, we'd return to our campground and I, being the camp-cook, made such creations as Mile-High Biscuits, Hearty Venison Stew (with beef instead of venison), chicken pot pie, or country potato soup. 

Afterwards, we'd gather at the campfire for roasted marshmallows, some warmth, and often some music. It was great having our three daughters together singing again.
  Stay tuned this week and next for some of the fun tales that took place on our grand adventure. Until then, enjoy the moments . . .

A Fun Award

I usually don't partake in this sort of blog award post, but since it's Saturday, I decided to go ahead and do it. Big thanks to Tracy at Tracy's Treasure of Books for nominating me for this sweet award.


The Liebster Blog Award, is an award that highlights book blogs with under 200 followers, to spread the word and show some love.


HERE ARE THE RULES:
1, Thank the giver and link back to the blogger that gave the award to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and past the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. Have a blog-git fun time!!

Here are the 5 blogs that I have chosen to pass this award onto:

1. Inspiration from the Commonplace

2. Reflections on the River
 
3. Journey's of Love

4. Home-Steeped Hope

5. Renee Lynn Scott

Now go and show them some love!!!!!!!!

Skillet Cornbread

This recipe so good. I never knew how good cornbread could be until I made it in my cast iron skillet. Delicious! 

4 tablespoons oil or bacon grease
2 cups yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups buttermilk


Pour oil in cast iron skillet and place in oven while preheating to 425 degrees. In medium bowl, sift together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add buttermilk. Let set for a few minutes while skillet is heating. Remove skillet from oven and pour mixture into the hot oil. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy!

Book Preview - The One Who Waits for Me

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:

Lori Copeland

and the book:

The One Who Waits for Me
Harvest House Publishers (August 1, 2011)
***Special thanks to Karri James, Marketing Assistant, Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***
Lori Copeland is the author of more than 90 titles, both historical and contemporary fiction. With more than 3 million copies of her books in print, she has developed a loyal following among her rapidly growing fans in the inspirational market. She has been honored with the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books' Best Seller award. In 2000, Lori was inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame. She lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband, Lance, and their three children and five grandchildren. Visit the author's website.
SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

This new series from bestselling author Lori Copeland, set in North Carolina three months after the Civil War ends, illuminates the gift of hope even in chaos, as the lives of six engaging characters intersect and unfold with the possibility of faith, love, and God's promise of a future.





Product Details:List Price: $13.99Paperback: 320 pagesPublisher: Harvest House Publishers (August 1, 2011)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0736930183ISBN-13: 978-0736930185
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER

Joanie?"


Beth's sister stirred, coughing.


Beth gently shook Joanie's shoulder again, and the young woman opened her eyes, confusion shining in their depths.


"Pa?"


"He passed a few minutes ago. Trella will be waiting for us."


Joanie lifted her wrist to her mouth and smothered sudden sobbing. "I'm scared, Beth."



"So am I. Dress quickly."



The young woman slid out of bed, her bare feet touching the dirt-packed floor. Outside, the familiar sound of pond frogs nearly drowned out soft movements, though there was no need to be silent any more. Ma had preceded Pa in death two days ago. Beth and Joanie had been waiting, praying for the hour of Pa's death to come swiftly. Together, they lifted their father's silent form and gently carried him out the front door. He was a slight man, easy to carry. Beth's heart broke as they took him to the shallow grave they had dug the day before. Ma's fever had taken her swiftly. Pa had held on for as long as he could. Beth could still hear his voice in her ear: "Take care of your sister, little Beth." He didn't have to remind her that there was no protection at all now to save either of them from Uncle Walt and his son, Bear. Beth had known all of her life that one day she and Joanie would have to escape this place—a place of misery.



It was her father's stubborn act that started the situation Beth and Joanie were immersed in. Pa had hid the plantation deed from his brother and refused to tell him where it was. Their land had belonged to a Jornigan for two hundred years, but Walt claimed that because he was the older brother and allowed Pa to live on his land the deed belonged to him. Pa was a proud man and had no respect for his brother, though his family depended on Walt for a roof over their heads and food on their table. For meager wages they worked Walt's fields, picked his cotton, and suffered his tyranny along with the other workers. Pa took the location of the hidden deed to his grave—almost. Walt probably figured Beth knew where it was because Pa always favored her. And she did, but she would die before she shared the location with her vile uncle.



By the light of the waning moon the women made short work of placing the corpse in the grave and then filling the hole with dirt. Finished, they stood back and Joanie bowed her head in prayer. "Dear Father, thank You for taking Ma and Pa away from this world. I know they're with You now, and I promise we won't cry." Hot tears streaming down both women's cheeks belied her words.



Returning to the shanty, Joanie removed her nightshirt and put on boy's clothes. Dressed in similar denim trousers and a dark shirt, Beth turned and picked up the oil lamp and poured the liquid carefully around the one-room shanty. Yesterday she had packed Ma's best dishes and quilts and dragged them to the root cellar. It was useless effort. She would never be back here, but she couldn't bear the thought of fire consuming Ma's few pretty things. She glanced over her shoulder when the stench of fuel heightened Joanie's cough. The struggle to breathe had been a constant companion since her younger sister's birth.



Many nights Beth lay tense and fearful, certain that come light Joanie would be gone. Now that Ma and Pa were dead, Joanie was the one thing left on this earth that held meaning for Beth. She put down the lamp on the table. Walking over to Joanie, she buttoned the last button on her sister's shirt and tugged her hat brim lower.



"Do you have everything?"



"Yes."



"Then go outside and wait."



Nodding, Joanie paused briefly beside the bed where Pa's tall frame had been earlier. She hesitantly reached out and touched the empty spot. "May you rest in peace, Pa."



Moonlight shone through the one glass pane facing the south. Beth shook her head. "He was a good man. It's hard to believe Uncle Walt had the same mother and father."



Joanie's breath caught. "Pa was so good and Walt is so…evil."



"If it were up to me, he would be lying in that grave outside the window, not Pa."



Beth tried to recall one single time in her life when Walt Jornigan had ever shown an ounce of mercy to anyone. Certainly not to his wife when she was alive. Certainly not to Beth or Joanie. If Joanie was right and there was a God, what would Walt say when he faced Him? She shook the thought aside. She had no compassion for the man or reverence for the God her sister believed in and worshipped.



"We have to go now, Joanie."



"Yes." She picked up her Bible from the little table beside the rocking chair and then followed Beth outside the shanty, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Pausing, Joanie bent and succumbed to a coughing spasm. Beth helplessly waited, hoping her sister could make the anticipated trip through the cotton fields. The women had planned for days now to escape if Ma and Pa both passed.



Beth asked gently, "Can you do this?"



Joanie held up a restraining hand. "Just need…a minute."



Beth wasn't certain that they could wait long; time was short. Dawn would be breaking soon, and then Walt would discover that Pa had died and the sisters were missing. But they had to leave. Joanie's asthma was getting worse. Each gasping breath left her drained and hopeless, and Walt refused to let her see a doctor.



When Joanie had mentioned the notice in a discarded Savannah newspaper advertising a piece of land, Beth knew she had to buy the property and provide a home for Joanie. Pa had allowed her and Joanie to keep the wage Uncle Walt paid monthly. Over the years they had saved enough to survive, and the owner was practically giving the small acreage away. They wouldn't be able to build a permanent structure on their land until she found work, but she and Joanie would own their own place where no one could control them. Beth planned to eventually buy a cow and a few setting hens. At first they could live in a tent—Beth's eyes roamed the small shanty. It would be better than how they lived now.



Joanie's spasm passed and she glanced up. "Okay. You…can do it now."



Beth struck a match.



She glanced at Joanie. The young woman nodded and clutched her Bible to her chest. Beth had found it in one of the cotton picker's beds after he had moved on and given it to Joanie. Her sister had kept the Bible hidden from sight for fear that Walt would spot it on one of his weekly visits. Beth had known, as Joanie had, that if their uncle had found it he'd have had extra reason to hand out his daily lashing. Joanie kept the deed to their new land between its pages.



After pitching the lighted match into the cabin, Beth quickly closed the heavy door. Stepping to the window, she watched the puddles of kerosene ignite one by one. In just minutes flames were licking the walls and gobbling up the dry tinder. A peculiar sense of relief came over her when she saw tendrils of fire racing through the room, latching onto the front curtain and encompassing the bed.



"Don't watch." Joanie slipped her hand into Beth's. "We have to hurry before Uncle Walt spots the flames."



Hand in hand, the sisters stepped off the porch, and Beth turned to the mounds of fresh dirt heaped not far from the shanty. Pausing before the fresh graves, she whispered. "I love you both. Rest in peace."



Joanie had her own goodbyes for their mother. "We don't want to leave you and Pa here alone, but I know you understand—"



As the flames licked higher, Beth said, "We have to go, Joanie. Don't look back."



"I won't." Her small hand quivered inside Beth's. "God has something better for us."



Beth didn't answer. She didn't know whether Ma and Pa were in a good place or not. She didn't know anything about such things. She just knew they had to run.



The two women dressed in men's clothing struck off across the cotton fields carrying everything they owned in a small bag. It wasn't much. A dress for each, clean underclothes, and their nightshirts. Beth had a hairbrush one of the pickers had left behind. She'd kept the treasure well hidden so Walt wouldn't see it. He'd have taken it from her. He didn't hold with primping—said combing tangles from one's hair was a vain act. Finger-picking river-washed hair was all a woman needed.



Fire now raced inside the cabin. By the time Uncle Walt noticed the smoke from the plantation house across the fields, the two sisters would be long gone. No longer would they be under the tyrannical thumb of Walt or Bear Jornigan.



Freedom.



Beth sniffed the night air, thinking she could smell the precious state. Never again would she or Joanie answer to any man. She would run hard and far and find help for Joanie so that she could finally breathe free. In her pocket she fingered the remaining bills she'd taken from the fruit jar in the cabinet. It was all the ready cash Pa and Ma had. They wouldn't be needing money where they were.



Suddenly there was a sound of a large explosion. Heavy black smoke blanketed the night air. Then another blast.



Kerosene! She'd forgotten the small barrel sitting just outside the back porch.



It was the last sound Beth heard.

Book Preview ~ A Most Unsuitable Match

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Most Unsuitable Match Bethany House; Original edition (August 1, 2011) by Stephanie Grace Whitson
A native of southern Illinois, Stephanie Grace Whitson has lived in Nebraska since 1975. She began what she calls "playing with imaginary friends" (writing fiction) when, as a result of teaching her four homeschooled children Nebraska history, she was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie's fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year.
Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends. Her passionate interests in pioneer women's history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities.
ABOUT THE BOOK An unlikely attraction occurs between two passengers on a steamboat journey up the Missouri River to Montana...
She is a self-centered young woman from a privileged family who fears the outdoors and avoids anything rustic. He is a preacher living under a sense of duty and obligation to love the unlovable people in the world. She isn't letting anything deter her from solving a family mystery that surfaced after her mother's death. He is on a mission to reach the rejects of society in the remote wilderness regions of Montana. Miss Fannie Rousseau and Reverend Samuel Beck are opposites in every way... except in how they both keep wondering if their paths will ever cross again. If you would like to read the first chapter of A Most Unsuitable Match, go HERE.

Speaking Engagements

This week I want to visit with you about speaking engagements. Do you tremble at the thought of having to speak to a group of people? If so, you're not alone. But if you can overcome your fear of doing so, speaking engagements are a wonderful way to win new readers and spread the word about your books. *Taken from a series of articles on the CAN Marketing Blog.
When I began marketing my first book in the Seasons of the Tallgrass, I dreaded the thought of having to speak to a group of people, yet I knew if I could master this task, it would be helpful for my career. So, when I faced that first phone call asking if I could speak to a group of women at a church, I accepted the invitation. Before the event, I prepared my presentation, wrote my notecards, and practiced my speech over and over again in front of a mirror in my bedroom. When the day finally arrived, I walked in with my handful of notecards and a smile, prepared to speak about my journey to publication. With a queezy stomach and damp palms, I stumbled through my introduction, and then my worst fears were realized--My notecards dropped to the floor.
Oh little engine, I don't know if I can do this. Speaking to people may be too great of a mountain to climb . . .Yikes! My face blushed ten shades of crimson and a little girl came rushing to my side, offering to pick up the cards strewn all over the carpet. In an effort to shrug it off, and knowing there would be no way to put the cards in order, I laughed (mostly from nerves) and pulled out the typed speech I'd prepared--just in case the unthinkable should happen. LOLMuch like the little engine that could, I somehow made it through that thirty minute presentation and lived to tell about it later. And being the brave soul that I am, I scheduled another speaking event--this time to a library. Fortunately, the more I stood in front of a crowd, the less my nerves bothered me. By the third event, I could speak without my cards. Yay! One handy tool I've found to help with presentations, is PowerPoint. It is an amazing invention that helps me stay on track with my speech as well as provide visuals for my audience--something that is always appreciated. A lot of times, however, the facilities do not have a projector or screen, and in those instances, I force myself to muddle through. Sometimes I will take posters that I've made to provide a visual and that helps, but it is not my preferred method.Okay, so how do you go about setting up a speaking schedule? Like other events, you first need to decide how many author engagements you want to do in a month or season, figure out what you'll talk about, and whether you'll charge a fee or sell books. (What I do at this time, is request compensation for mileage and ask that I may sell my own books. This always provides me with more than enough to keep me happy.)  Then start letting people know you're available. Believe me, committee chairmen are hungry for speakers. Put a notice on your Website, offer the information at book signings or when you visit a bookstore or library. I've found my greatest response comes from librarians. They are always looking for interesting sessions to do for their patrons. Other ideas are to speak to women's groups, churches, clubs, or schools. Another option is to speak at writer's conferences.When I prepare for a speaking engagement, I like to have a nice table presentation--and this goes for my book signings as well.Usually, I'll carry my own table, or at least have it in the truck if it's needed. I also carry a tablecloth, some artificial flowers, book display racks, and my promotional items (bookmarks, pens, flyers, etc.) And candy. If I'm going to be inside (with air conditioning), I'll often have chocolate on the table. Another item you might consider is a poster of your book. Last year, I had one made at my local printer. An 11X17 foamboard poster can be purchased for around $10 and is very effective for a table display. Bigger, if you can afford it or your publisher is willing to help with the expense. This year, Zondervan provided me with a retractable banner, which I love. It's easy to carry and very effective as a visual. Sometimes, I'll also offer a special giveaway, which is a nice way to build my newsletter subscription. But even if you don't do a giveaway, be sure to have a sign-up sheet for those interested in being on your mailing list.As always, when you schedule an author event, remember to ask about promotion. Will the library or club provide a notice in the newspaper or a newsletter? Will they make and send out flyers about the event? Even if they offer to do these things, take the time to double-check a week or two before the event to make sure it has been done. Then send out your own media announcement to the local papers and radio as an extra prompt. Some of my best promotional efforts have come from speaking engagements.So what about you? Do you have a special plan of attack when it comes to speaking? Share with us in the comments below. Next Tuesday, I'll write about scheduling a blog tour. Until then, keep chugging up those hills . .

Patching Jeans

Twice a year, I'm called on by my dear hubby to use my years of prowess as a seamstress and patch his work jeans! 

Ugh! Now mind you, I enjoy sewing--skirts, jackets, dresses, and even doll clothes, but patching jeans ranks right up there with my most dreaded chores. Not only is the denim material heavy and hard to work with, but the tears normally occur in hard to reach places such as the knees or crotch. Argh...

For at least a month prior to this task, I find myself debating whether to throw the worn jeans away, use them as rags, or recycle them into a quilt or rug. But then, inevitably, I'll hear a voice in my head about how much money I'll save by repairing them, or how much more comfortable hubby will be to wear a "broke-in" pair of jeans.

Ah, honey, I love you--I honestly do. Why else would I patch your jeans??? Six pairs of jeans later, along with two broken needles and at least one pricked finger, I manage to get through the pile and am able to breathe a sigh of relief--glad that it'll be another 6-9 months before I have to do this again!
How about you? Do you have a chore you despise?

Homemade Playdough

My grandma always made playdough when I visited her house. Here is a recipe I enjoyed making for my daughters (and look forward to making again for my grandchildren one day.)


3 cups water
6 Tablespoons oil
5 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 Tablespoons alum
1-2 drops peppermint flavoring
food coloring of your choice


In large saucepan, boil water and add oil. May also add food coloring at this time if you only desire one color. Remove from heat and add flour, salt, and alum. Mix well. When cool enough to work with hands, may divide dough for more colors. Work color in by kneading dough. Keeps fresh in refrigerator for several months. Enjoy!

More Prairie Wildflowers

It's hot and dry right now in SE Kansas, but here are a few pictures of some prairie wildflowers we spotted earlier this summer. Note some of the identifying names. Aren't they pretty? 

Barbara's Buttons

Black-eyed Susan

Wild Bergamot

Not sure about the name of the flower but I really like the butterfly. Does anyone know what kind it is?

Round-fruited St John's Wort

Again, not sure. Looks like Black-Eyed Susan but it's close to the ground. . . 

Tube Beard Tongue

Yarrow