Deborah Vogts's Blog, page 145

Hallmark and the Holidays

Every year when the holidays come around, I find myself looking forward to snuggling up with a blanket and a cup of tea or hot cocoa to watch a favorite Hallmark movie. What is it about Hallmark and the Holidays? 


Is it the feel-good music that accompanies each movie? Or the heart-warming commercials between scenes? Or maybe it's just knowing that when you reach the end, you'll sigh in contentment at the satisfying conclusion. 




This past week, our oldest daughter and her husband came to visit from Phoenix. Samantha and I discussed how we each looked forward to watching these movies. She gets her love for Hallmark honest. 


Here are a few Hallmark movies we've enjoyed through the years. 

November Christmas (We just watched this one, and it's a real tear-jerker)A Dog Named Christmas Fallen AngelA Season for MiraclesMrs. Miracle
The Magic of Ordinary DaysRose HillSara, Plain and Tall (Probably our very favorite Hallmark movie)


What Hallmark movies have you seen lately? Do you have a favorite?

Emily of Deep Valley

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Emily of Deep Valley Harper Perennial Modern Classics; Reprint edition (October 12, 2010) by Mitali Perkins


Note from Deb: Our youngest daughter loves the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace, so when this book came up for tour, I knew I had to jump on. Enjoy! 


A word from Mitali: Who In The World Is Mitali Perkins?


That's a good question. I've been trying to figure it out myself, spending most of my life crossing borders. I was born Mitali Bose in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, and always tried to live up to my name—which means "friendly" in the Bangla language. I had to! Because my family moved so much, it was the only way I could make new friends.


By the time I was 11, I'd lived in Ghana, Cameroon, London, New York and Mexico before settling in California just in time for middle school. Yep, I was the new kid again, in seventh grade, the year everybody barely makes it through. My biggest lifeline during those early years was story. Books were my rock, my stability, my safe place as I navigated the border between California suburbia and the Bengali culture of my traditional home.


After studying political science at Stanford and public policy at U.C. Berkeley, I taught in middle school, high school and college. When I began to write fiction, my protagonists were often—not surprisingly—strong female characters trying to bridge different cultures.


Mitali Perkins is the author of several books for young people, including SECRET KEEPER (Random House), MONSOON SUMMER (Random House), RICKSHAW GIRL (Charlesbridge), and the FIRST DAUGHTER books (Dutton).


ABOUT THE BOOK


Often cited as Maud Hart Lovelace's (of Betsy-Tacy fame) best novel, Emily of Deep Valley is now back in print, with a new foreword by acclaimed young adult author Mitali Perkins and new archival material about the characters' real lives.


Emily Webster, an orphan living with her grandfather, is not like the other girls her age in Deep Valley, Minnesota. The gulf between Emily and her classmates widens even more when they graduate from Deep Valley High School in 1912. Emily longs to go off to college with everyone else, but she can't leave her grandfather. Emily resigns herself to facing a "lost winter," but soon decides to stop feeling sorry for herself. And with a new program of study, a growing interest in the Syrian community, and a handsome new teacher at the high school to fill her days, Emily gains more than she ever dreamed...


In addition to her beloved Betsy-Tacy books, Maud Hart Lovelace wrote three more stories set in the fictional town of Deep Valley: Winona's Pony Cart, Carney's House Party and Emily of Deep Valley. Longtime fans and new readers alike will be delighted to find the Deep Valley books available again for the first time in many years.


If you would like to browse inside Emily of Deep Valley, go HERE.

Cheese Ball

This is a favorite family recipe we use during the holiday season. I hope you enjoy it!

2 - 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon finely grated onion
2 oz. grated cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 Tablespoon parsley

In medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, onion and cheese. Divide and form two balls. Roll balls into chopped pecans and parsley. Refrigerate and serve with crackers. Delicious!

Being Thankful

 Each Thanksgiving, we take the time to be thankful for the many blessings God gives us.

For family, our health and our home in the country. For loved ones, near and far, for food on our tables, a warm bed at night, and for the many freedoms we have in this country. We're thankful for the soldiers in the military who fight for those freedoms, and we're thankful for the freedom to freely worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray that freedom will never be taken from us.

So, here's to a blessed Thanksgiving holiday to you and yours. Let's remember to be thankful not only during this holiday season, but through the entire year as well.

Book Drawing - Second Chance Brides

Second Chance Brides, by Vickie McDonough
Book Two in the Texas Boardinghouse Brides series
Two rejected mail-order brides must snag a husband fast or find a way to survive on their own in rugged Texas. Returning home isn't an option. With many men in town and few women, marriage proposals are abundant, but finding an honorable, hardworking man a woman can trust with her heart is the hard part. To learn more about Vickie and her books, please visit her web site here.

If you'd like to enter the book drawing for Second Chance Brides, please leave a comment below. A winner will be drawn on Sunday, November 28.
*Void where prohibited. Open only to US residents. Odds of winning depend on number of entrants. Only one entrant allowed per person or family.

Venison Jerky

This is a recipe I found that easily compares to what you buy at specialty shops. Very good and not hard to make.

1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon hickory smoke1 teaspoon ginger powder1/2 teaspoon garlic salt1 Tablespoon lemon pepper1/2 teaspoon onion salt7 pounds venison, cut thin across the grain (store in gallon ice cream pail)
Combine first ten ingredients and mix together. Pour over sliced meat and marinate for 24 hours. When ready to cook, place slices in dehydrator and cook for 8-10 hours at 145 degrees. Turn meat occassionally. May store in ziplock bags up to three months in cool place.

Christmas Book Signing Bash

75 Christian Authors * One Amazing Event

How many times have you heard of a book signing, but couldn't make it to the location?Well, here is the answer. The Christian Review of Books in conjunction with CrossPurposes Bookstore is excited to announce the first annual Christmas Book Signing Bash.
Beginning on the day after Thanksgiving and lasting ten days (26 November-7 December), this book signing will be an unprecedented online event. 75 of today's favorite Christian Authors have come together to answer questions, chat with their readers, and offer signed copies of their books—all without leaving the comforts of home and hearth!
Readers can search by author, title, or genre at the Christian Review of Books and then follow the purchase links to CrossPurposes Bookstore  and buy autographed copies of each book featured. The authors will sign the books and ship them to the customers.
Christa AllanJennifer AlLeeA. K. Arenz Angie BreidenbachMargaret BrownleyCathy BryantSandra ByrdAmanda Cabot Vanetta ChapmanMary ConnealyMelanie DickersonLena Nelson DooleyLaurie Alice EakesMary Ellis Rita GerlachLisa HarrisCynthia HickeyAnita HigmanRonie KendigMaureen LangJulie LessmanLoree LoughKathi MaciasVickie McDonoughStephanie MorrillJill Elizabeth NelsonTrish PerryMartha RogersJames RubartCynthia RuchtiBetsy St. Amant Michelle SuttonMaryLu TyndallErica VetschDeborah VogtsJenness WalkerRoseanna M. WhiteKathleen Y'Barbo
For a full list of participating authors, visit the CRoB. The event launches November 26th, the day after Thanksgiving, and ends December 7th. What a fantastic opportunity to get signed books for your loved ones (or yourself!) for the holidays!

50th Wedding Anniversary

This weekend my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Not many people can lay claim to that, so in today's world, this is a big accomplishment. Mom & Dad began this journey by eloping to Tulsa, OK, then returned home a few weeks later to face mom's parents. They settled in Neosho County and have lived here all their lives.

In fact,  my parents, grandma, brothers, and I all live within 20 miles of each other. My husband's side as well. We're a close-knit family.

Our youngest daughter played a few songs for the anniversary celebration. She also performed for last week's Veteran's Assembly at our local high school. She accompanied a song for her friend, then sang Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning). I'm not sure where her bravery comes from to stand out infront of so many people--but it doesn't seem to bother her too much. She sure didn't get it from me. It was a wonderful way to honor our veterans, and I'm quite pleased with her eagerness to support our men in arms.  
What about you? Do you live close to your family? Have you celebrated any big milestones lately?

Candy Bar Fudge

6 Snickers candy bars (2.07 oz. each)
3 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter (no substitutes)
2/3 cup evaporated milk
2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Line a 9" square pan with foil. Butter the foil and set it aside. Cut candy bars into 1/2 inch slices. Set aside. In saucepan bring sugar, butter and milk to boil over medium heat. Cook and stir until candy thermometer reads 234 degrees (soft ball stage), about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate chips, marshmallow creme and vanilla until smooth. Pour half into prepared pan. Sprinkle with candy bars. Top with remaining fudge and spread evenly. Let stand until cool. Lift out of pan and remove foil. Cut into squares. Makes 7 dozen.

On the Road Again

This past weekend I attended my last authors event for 2010. While I enjoy traveling to the different places in the region, I have to admit that by the end of the year, I grow weary of being on the road. Thank goodness for terrific friends to share the moments with. Here are a few pictures from recent events.

Here at the Gridley Library in mid-October. This little town welcomed me with open arms.

It's always such a joy to visit with fans of the Seasons of the Tallgrass series as well as meet new readers!
I failed to take any pictures at Friday's Topeka Shawnee County Library event ~ Celebrate the Book. This annual conference for Kansas librarians had a great turnout. Thanks to Deb Bryan for inviting me to speak at one of the workshops.

Friday night I stayed with good friend, Julane Heibert and visited another friend in the Council Grove area, Mary Allen. Mary and her husband are my "go-to" people when I have cowboy questions specific to the Flint Hills. Mary's husband, Rich, is a cowboy for one of the large ranches in this area.
She also raises free-range chickens, border collies, and goats. Such fun!

On Saturday I traveled to Manhattan, KS (K-State town) and held a book signing at Christian Books & Gifts. Although we didn't have a lot of traffic in the store that day (possibly due to the final home game scheduled for K-State that night?), I enjoyed visiting with some facebook friends (Hi, Stacey & Joe) and also a gal from my hometown of Galesburg, KS.
Kerri's mom and I were best friends growing up and lived about two miles from each other. Oh, the memories!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by one of my book signings this past year. This journey would mean so much less without your friendship!