Deborah Vogts's Blog, page 90

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes. Enjoy your weekend! 
Quick and Easy Lasagna
Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies
Cookbook preview for Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen

The Vogts Sisters to be in Band Auction

On Saturday, April 19th, our daughters will participate in a Band Auction at KKFI 90.1 FM Community Radio in Kansas City, MO. The auction is part of an annual fund raiser to help support this amazing radio station that offers their genre of music--bluegrass, folk, and Americana. 
What is it? - A fund raiser where nearly 100 bands each donate a two-hour concert to be auctioned to the highest bidder during the showcase auction. 
How does it work? - Each act is scheduled for a 30-minute live performance on one of KKFI's music shows held over a ten-day period from April 10-28. During that 30 minute showcase, listeners call in and bid. The highest bidder then works with the band to arrange for a 2-hour gig to be held in the next 12 months. The number to call during the showcase is (888) 931-0901. Bids will be taken during the scheduled 30 minutes that each act is showcased. 

What does the high bid receive? - A two-hour gig to be scheduled with the band within the next 12 months. This could be a birthday party, anniversary party, class reunion, block party, etc. Gigs are usually limited to a 50-mile radius of the KC area. (*See note below.)
What is the minimum bid? - Generally, the minimum bid is $100 for a solo act, and $200 for a band. 
What if I'm unable to listen and bid that day? - Advanced bids are accepted. Simply email Bill at KKFI (billc@kkfi.org) and let him know your maximum bid. KKFI will serve as your agent in getting the band of your choice at as low a price as the bidding allows, but no more than your stated maximum bid.

So, what does this mean for The Vogts Sisters? - The girls will be showcased on Saturday, April 19 from 11:30 AM-Noon during the Woman's Song Music Show. *Because we do not live in the Kansas City area, we are able to provide a wider range for a possible gig and will accepts bids between SE Kansas and the KC area. If you're unable to tune in to the show on your radio, you may listen to a live-stream online or learn more about the auction HERE.
What does all of this mean? - The high bidder gets a two hour gig donated by the participating band for live music for a birthday, anniversary, or party. KKFI gets the money, and the band gets the exposure. 
Help us spread the news by sharing this with your family and friends! 

Book Preview ~ Echoes of Mercy

Echoes of Mercy, by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Sometimes a secret must be kept for the truth to be revealed.

When a suspicious accident occurs at the famous Dinsmore Chocolate Factory in Sinclair, Kansas, Caroline Lang goes undercover as a factory worker to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and how the factory treats its youngest employees—the child workers. Caroline’s fervent faith, her difficult childhood, and compassionate heart drove her to her job as an investigator for the Labor Commission and she is compelled to see children freed from such heavy adult responsibilities, to allow them to pursue an education.

Oliver Dinsmore, heir to the Dinsmore candy dynasty, has his own investigation to conduct. Posing as a common worker known as “Ollie Moore,” he aims to find out all he can about the family business before he takes over for his father. Caroline and Oliver become fast friends, but tension mounts when the two find themselves at odds about the roles of child workers. Hiding their identities becomes even more difficult when fate brings them together over three children in desperate need. When all is revealed, will the truth destroy the love starting to grow between them? Purchase the book HERE. 
Kim Vogel Sawyer is a best-selling author highly acclaimed for her gentle stories of hope. More than one million copies of her books are currently in print with awards including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Kim lives in central Kansas, where she and her retired military husband, Don, run a bed-and-breakfast inn with the help of their feline companions. She savors time with her daughters and grandchildren. Learn more about Kim and her books HERE. 

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes. Enjoy your weekend! 
Joan's Peanut Butter Cookies
Slow Cooked Country Ribs

Featured Author, Lisa Carter shares her recipe for Southern Family Brunswick Stew

Emma's First Birthday

This past weekend, our granddaughter celebrated her FIRST birthday! First birthdays are always so special. 

Her mama decorated the house with a Winnie the Pooh theme, and the decorations were adorable.

Miss Emma didn't quite know what to do with the sweet, sticky frosting on the cake, but she took a fancy to the ice-cream.


Her Great-Grandma Vogts made her a beautiful bunny quilt.

She received bunches of toys, including this little scooter from Great-Grandma and Grandpa Swiler.

And this "Grandma" made her a matching doll and little dress and pinafore. I'll share more about my sewing woes in another post...

Happy Birthday, Miss Emma. You're our little doll! 

Book Preview ~ Born of Persuasion

Born of Persuasion, by Jessica Dotta

The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston’s position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.

With two months to devise a better plan, Julia’s first choice to marry her childhood sweetheart is denied. But when a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, a realm of possibilities opens. However, treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother’s mysterious past. Before she knows what’s happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country’s most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own. But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly. Buy the book HERE. 

Jessica Dotta has always been fascinated by England during the Regency and Victorian era. Her passion for British Literature fueled her desire to write in a style that blends the humor of Jane Austen and the dark drama of a Bronte sister. She lives in the Nashville area with her family and works as a freelance media consultant and publicist. Learn more about Jessica and her books HERE. 

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes. Tonight, The Vogts Sisters will be performing at The Woodshed in Carthage, MO. If you're in the area, we'd love for you to stop by and listen! Learn more HERE.
Cowboy Cookies
Irish Soda Bread 
And Featured Author, Molly Noble Bull shares her recipe for Pioneer Cornbread

Called to Write Conference 2014

In a few weeks, Christian Writers Fellowship will hold their annual Called to Write Conference, in Pittsburg, KS. This year, they have scheduled some awesome speakers to include Janice Hannah Thompson and Kristen Heitzmann. There will also be educational workshops, a writing contest, fellowship with other Christian writers, and much more for a very reasonable fee. Registrations are still being accepted, so it's not too late to make plans to attend.
APRIL 3-5, 2014Lamplighter Inn4020 Parkview DrivePittsburg, KS

Featured Presenters - 
Janice Hannah Thompson and Kristen Heitzmann

Janice Thompson also writes under the name Janice Hanna. She got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published over eighty books and enjoys editing, ghost-writing, public speaking, and mentoring young writers. She currently serves as Vice-President of CAN (Christian Authors Network) and was named the 2008 Mentor of the year for ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). She was thrilled to be named the 2010 Barbour/Heartsong Author of the Year, with three books on the top ten list for that house. Janice is active in her local writing group, where she regularly teaches on the craft of writing. Her online course, Becoming a Successful Freelance Writer has been helpful to many who want to earn a living with their writing. Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all. You can find out more about Janice at www.janiceathompson.com.

Kristen Heitzmann is the bestselling author of contemporary romantic suspense and historical novels, including Christy Award winner Secrets and finalists Indivisible and The Tender Vine. An artist and mountain hiker, Kristen lives in Colorado with her husband, Jim, and extended family. Visit her Author Website at:www.kristenheitzmannbooks.com
This year the conference is offering 24 workshops by ten different writers. Learn more about the conference and download a registration HERE. 
So, what about you. Are you a writer? Are you planning to attend any writing conferences this year? Are you planning to attend the Called to Write Conference? 

Book Preview ~ Made to Last

Made to Last, by Melissa Tagg
Miranda Woodruff, star of the homebuilding show From the Ground Up, will do anything to keep the job she loves. Due to a painful broken engagement and a faith she's mostly forgotten, she's let her entire identity become wrapped up in the Miranda everyone sees onscreen. So when she receives news that the network might cancel her program, she must do the very thing she fears most: let the spotlight shine on her closely guarded personal life. The only problem? She's been living a lie--letting viewers believe she's married--and now she's called upon to play wife to a sweet, if a bit goofy, pretend husband to boost ratings. 

Desperate to help his family and prove he's not a total failure, reporter Matthew Knox is looking for a breakout story. When he's offered the opportunity to do an online serial feature on Miranda Woodruff, he jumps at the chance, even if celebrity reporting isn't really his thing. But as soon as he meets Miranda, he knows she's keeping secrets.

When Miranda's former fiance suddenly appears on the scene again, she doubts her life could get more complicated. Juggling three guys, an on-the-rocks television show, and the potential exposure of her deception is way more than she bargained for. Can the woman who makes things look so good onscreen admit it's time to tell the truth about who she is? And if she does, will the life Miranda's built come crashing down just as she's finally found a love to last? Buy the book HERE. 

Melissa Tagg, author of Made to Last and Here to Stay, is a former reporter and total Iowa girl. In addition to her homeless ministry day job, she's also the marketing/events coordinator for My Book Therapy, a craft and coaching community for writers. When she's not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever (not that she's biased), watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next story. She's passionate about humor, grace, and happy endings. Melissa blogs regularly and loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com.

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes. Enjoy your weekend! 
Irish Cream Cake
Venison Chili
Featured Author Valerie Comer shares her recipe for Honey Mustard Potato Salad