Deborah Vogts's Blog, page 156

Sunflower Journeys visits Murphy's Cafe

This past month I had a book signing at Murphy's Mercantile & Cafe in Stark, KS. It was a day of celebration as PBS of Topeka, KS was there filming for their Sunflower Journeys program. Production crew members, Bill Shaffer and Jim Kelly, were there to film an episode that would focus on businesses that help save small towns. Rick and Portia Murphy opened Murphy's Mercantile and Cafe in 2007. The program will air sometime this fall. Pictured below is music teacher and Stark resident, Nancy...

Sunday Meatloaf

Here's a good old-fashioned recipe for Sunday Meatloaf.

2 eggs
3/4 cups milk
1 1/2 cups crushed saltine crackers
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/4 cup catsup
1 tablespoon mustard
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon liquid smoke

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl, combine eggs and milk. Stir into egg mixture crackers, onion, parsley, salt and pepper. Add ground beef, catsup, mustard, brown sugar and liquid smoke. Mix...

Called to Write Conference Photos

The Called to Write conference in Pittsburg, KS turned out very well. We had an attendance of around 60 and our guest speaker, Cecil Murphey, provided a wealth of knowledge for all to hear. Cec is such a wonderful speaker and mentor, and I am sure all of the attendees were blessed by his message.

Having the conference at the hotel this year turned out to be another step forward for us. The meals were quite satisfying as was the hotel service. I especially enjoyed having that extra time to...

Book Drawing - The Anonymous Bride

The Anonymous Bride by Vickie McDonough

How many brides does one man need?
It's been years, but Luke Davis is back--older and wiser--and still alone. Returning as Lookout's new town marshal, Luke is determined to face the past and move on. He flippantly tells his cousin he'd get married if the right woman ever came along. But then he discovers that the woman who betrayed him is now a widow, and all his plans fall at his feet.

Rachel has carried her guilty shame for eleven years. Her marriage to ...

Frog Eye Salad

Here is a fun recipe for spring picnics:

1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
3/4 cup pineapple juice (taken from chunk pineapple)
1 egg
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 1/2 quart water
1/2 tablespoon cooking oil
1/2 package (8 oz) Acini De Pepe semolina macaroni product)
1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges, drained
1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, drained
1/2 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple
1/2 carton (9 oz) whipped topping
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows

Combine sugar, flour and 1/4 t. salt...

Book Drawing - Blood Ransom

Blood Ransom by Lisa Harris

Natalie Sinclair is working to eradicate the diseases decimating whole villages in the Republic of Dhambizao when she meets Dr. Chad Talcott, a surgeon on sabbatical from a lucrative medical practice now volunteering at a small clinic.

Meanwhile, things are unraveling in Dhambizao. Joseph Komboli returns to his village to discover rebel soldiers abducting his family and friends. Those that were too old or weak to work lay motionless in the African soil. When Chad...

New Kids on the Farm

Er, goats, that is!


My youngest daughter is taking the meat goat project in 4-H this year, so this will be a new learning experience for us. So far, we've learned that they have a horrid cry when they are unhappy, they can be incredibly stubborn, and they hate rain (even a light sprinkle), so guess who will have to take them into the barn if it starts raining while my daughter is in school. LOL.




We're only on our third day of ownership, so there isn't too much to report, but I will be sure to...

Weekend Brunch Casserole

Here's a recipe I received at a 4-H cooking meeting, and it is wonderful. For those of you who have mother/daughter brunches, I highly recommend trying this. Enjoy.

1 pound ground pork breakfast sausage
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 (8 oz) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
4 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Crumble and cook sausage in medium skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain grease. Line bottom of greased 13x9...

Somewhere to Belong by Judith Miller

Somewhere to Belong by Judith Miller Journey inside the picturesque villages of the Amana Colonies, 1877

Johanna Ilg has lived her entire life in Main Amana, one of the seven villages settled by devout Christians who believe in cooperative living, a simple lifestyle, and faithful service to God. Although she's always longed to see the outside world, Johanna believes her future is rooted in Amana. But when she learns a troubling secret, the world she thought she knew is shattered. Is this...

Miss Rodeo America 2010

As many of you may know, Natalie Adams, the main character for my second book, Seeds of Summer , is a former Miss Rodeo Kansas. Part of my research for this book has been to stay informed about current happenings with the Miss Rodeo America pageant. I thought you might enjoy reading a news release from the 2009 pageant held in Las Vegas this past December.

(Dec. 5, 2009) — The results are in and the next Miss Rodeo America has been crowned. The 2010 leading lady of professional rodeo is Kelli ...