Deborah Vogts's Blog, page 91

12 Reasons Why I Love Sonic

I know, I know. There are those who do not care for fast-food restaurants, but I must admit that I LOVE grabbing a quick bite to eat at Sonic.  In fact, I have 12 Reasons that I Love Sonic. They are:

1. It's a fun place to go with my daughters (who also love Sonic).

2. Memory Lane - My husband and I went there on our wedding night, February 14, 1990. Cold and hungry. And the only place open that late was SONIC! I don't remember what I ordered. LOL

3. Tator Tots and Onion Rings (Need I say more?)

4. Chili Hamburgers (I think my favorite is a #2 then just add chili!)

5. Chicken Strip Meal (My kids' favorite.)

6. Ice-Cream (Peanut Butter Fudge Sundae, please.)

7. You can find a Sonic in almost every town in Kansas!

8. Open till Midnight! (See #2 for further explanation.)

9. Jalapeno Poppers and Mozzarella Sticks

10. Chili Dogs

11. Happy Hour (aka 1/2 price Sonic drinks from 2-4:00 PM.)

12. Flash from our Past - Drive-in with Carhops on Roller Skates (Just like on Happy Days!)

So, what about you? Are you a Sonic Fan? What are your favorite items to order???

Book Preview ~ That Dog Won't Hunt

That Dog Won't Hunt, by Brandilyn Collins

Meet the Dearings, a crazy, loving, boisterous family in small-town Mississippi. There's mom and dad, three daughters and their families, and the youngest--twenty-five-year-old Ben. Oh, and the family dog, a Yorkie who thinks she's royalty.

"This one's perfect," Ben says about his new fiancée, Christina, when he brings her home for a family reunion. Ben is just sure everyone will love Christina, and she'll fit right in.

He always did tend to wear rose-colored glasses.

Christina loves Ben but secretly fears their relationship will never work. They've only known each other ten weeks. She hasn't told him about her horrific past as an only child--the beatings, the neglect, and verbal abuse. Christina doesn't know how to trust or be honest about her feelings. Being thrust into the middle of a tight-knit family like the Dearings is sure to send her over the edge.

With poignancy and humor, That Dog Won't Hunt explores the complexities of relationships and the inner strength needed to overcome a difficult childhood. The Dearings are no perfect family, but they know how to love--if only Christina will accept it.

Brandilyn Collins is an award-winning and best-selling novelist known for her trademarked Seatbelt Suspense®--fast-paced, character-driven suspense with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith. She also writes insightful contemporary novels with rich characters. She is often blamed for keeping her readers up at night, as they "just have to see what happens next."

In nonfiction, Brandilyn is known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). Writers Digest Magazine named Getting Into Character one of the top books on writing of 2002.

You can read excerpts from all Brandilyn's books at her Web site: www.brandilyncollins.com. That's also a good place to subscribe to her free newsletter, Sneak Pique, so you can be among the first to know about her latest releases.

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes. Tomorrow night The Vogts Sisters will travel to Joplin, MO to perform at The Salvage Yard--an interesting name for a coffeehouse. If you care to join us, they'll perform from 9-11:00 PM. See more HERE. 
Sunday Meatloaf
Sourdough Baguettes
And a cookbook preview ~ The New Midwestern Table by Amy Thielen

Vogts Sisters to Record New Album

As many of you know, our two youngest daughters, The Vogts Sisters, have been singing and performing Americana, Folk, and Bluegrass music for nearly two years. Their first album released in November 2012. This month, the girls are excited to begin recording sessions on their sophomore album of all original music. 
They will be doing the sessions at Hall of Fame Recording Studio in Neodesha, KS, with producers/engineers Larry Brockway and Russell Head. 
We are thrilled to have Shelby (Fiddle), Isaac (Mandolin), and Nathan Eicher (Bass) as musicians on the album. 
The Eicher's are also members of Mischievous Swing, who released their first album this past fall. You can find it HERE. Shelby is also the band leader and fiddle player for the Tulsa Playboys, who just released a tribute album to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. You can find out more HERE. 
The girls have two performances in Missouri this month. See their upcoming concert schedule below:
Saturday, March 7 - The Salvage Yard, Joplin, MOFriday, March 21 - The Woodshed, Carthage, MOSaturday, March 29 - LWML Convention, Wichita, KSFriday, April 25 - Mead's Corner, Wichita, KS

Book Preview ~ The Miner's Lady

The Miner's Lady by Tracie Peterson
Book #3 - Land of Shining Waters series

When Chantel Panetta's younger sister claims to be in love with Orlando Calarco, Chantel knows there is no hope. The Panettas and Calarcos have been sworn enemies for decades, and young love cannot heal the deep wounds between the two iron-mining families. Yet, unable to resist Isabella's pleas, Chantel agrees to help her sister spend time with Orlando...only to have a run-in with Dante, Orlando's brother. The older, more handsome one.

Chantel can't deny the attraction that flares when she's with Dante. But when a tragedy occurs at the mine, is there any hope that the hatred that has simmered between these two families might be resolved? Or will Chantel's hope for love be buried amidst decades of misunderstanding? Buy the book HERE.

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 90 novels. Tracie
also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Belgrade, Montana. Learn more at www.traciepeterson.com.

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions to Country at Heart Recipes. Enjoy your weekend! 
Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Sixteen Bean Soup
Christine Lindsay's recipe for Pavlova

Ice and Horses

This is a post from last year's ice storm in February. Considering that another ice storm is in our forecast for next week, I thought it might be interesting to see. Our youngest daughter took these shots, and I thought they turned out so pretty. 
Dunny - aka Revielles Enoch
Joe - aka Josiah Lass
A few more of the crew - Moe (peeking from the edge), Belle, Dunny, and Larry
Joe feeling a little frisky.

What about you? Are you experiencing a hard, cold winter? Share with me in the comments below! 

Book Preview ~ The Journey of Josephine Cain

The Journey of Josephine Cain, by Nancy Moser
When a socialite from the nation’s capital embarks on a journey to the Wild West, her life is changed forever. A setting populated by hundreds of laborers, outlaws, and Indians is hardly the place for a wealthy general’s daughter. But Josephine Cain is determined to visit her father, who supervises the day-to-day work involved in the grandest ambition of post-Civil War America: the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. 
Life with the railroad is far from the proper life Josephine is used to, and she faces deadly gunfights, harsh weather, and vigilante uprisings. She is torn between the West and the East; between her privileged upbringing and the challenges of a new frontier; between the pull of the suitable beau her parents approve of and an attraction to a rough but charming Irish railroad worker. But if Josephine is willing, she just might find a new life, a unique purpose… and true love. Purchase the book HERE.

NANCY MOSER is the best-selling author of more than twenty novels. She is a winner and two-time nominee of the Christy Award, and her latest novel was named to Booklist's "Top 10 Romance Novels of 2011." Nancy and her husband have three grown children and four grandchildren, and they live in the Midwest. Learn more about Nancy and her books HERE.

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes. Have a great weekend! 
Breakfast Quiche
Sourdough Cheddar and Chive Biscuits
Book Preview: The Recipe Girl Cookbook

Miss Rodeo America 2014

The main character for my second book, Seeds of Summer, is a former Miss Rodeo Kansas. Even though my research for this book is over, I still enjoy keeping up with current rodeo queens. I thought you might enjoy reading a news release from the 2014 pageant held in Las Vegas this past December.

Lawrence, Mississippi is home to Paige Nicholson, Miss Rodeo Mississippi 2013 and Miss Rodeo America 2014. Paige is a graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Information Science. She plans to obtain a Law Degree from the University of Mississippi and pursue a career that allows her to be an advocate for agriculture and protect the western way of life.

When time allows, Paige enjoys: Horseback Riding, Team Roping, Barrel Racing, Fishing, Boating, Working on her family's Beef Cattle and Row Crop Farm, and writing for Cattle Business in Mississippi Magazine. Paige has served as a volunteer for the 4-H horse project, Relay for Life, and assisting as a special needs horse show instructor. “Volunteering has allowed me to build connections in several communities in my state. Service fosters camaraderie and fellowship in groups of volunteers while giving hope and support to recipients.”

“It will be an honor to officially represent an organization whose values so closely resemble my own. I believe families should always look out for each other, and that developing and educating the next generation is our greatest responsibility in life. Miss Rodeo America is an outstanding example of a young lady, a cowgirl, and a person who is strong in character. It is my wish that each person I meet becomes a true rodeo fan, and that I can tell the story of agriculture and the western way of life with knowledge and enthusiasm.”
If you haven't read Seeds of Summer, you may read an insert HERE.