Raincheck- Mini Quilt Pattern for Schnibble Parade

I have not been good about keeping up with the monthly Schnibble pattern. Tight finances got in the way so when Sherri and Sinta said to pick any mini pattern by Camille Roskelley of Thimble Blossoms

I immediately knew what I would be making! I chose Camille's free pattern Raincheck. I also want to make her mini Swoon soon.

 I made Raincheck out of leftover charms from a Simplicity charm pack from Moda that is an old fabric line. The binding is from fabric I had at home. 

I thought this was the perfect pattern for April. It has been so cold here in New Hampshire and rainy too. As I write this today it is rainy and in the low 40's!

Be sure to check out the parade tomorrow at Sherri and Sinta's blogs!

Twirl: A Fresh Spin at Life

Is life making you so dizzy that you’re forgetting what’s most important?

Patsy Clairmont loves a good twirl. The kind that will make a child fall to the ground, squeal with laughter, and then want to get up and spin in circles some more! However, there is a twirl where busy schedules and urgency create a different and unwanted variety of dizzy into our lives.

Though hurry-up is part of the human dilemma and certain seasons bring more of it than others, if it becomes a lifestyle you might find yourself on the slippery slopes of bitterness, sadness, and depression. Patsy’s hope is to help her readers maintain a dynamic view on life—with activities and choices that lead to renewal and peace. So take a little stroll with Patsy Clairmont through Twirl, and allow her unique perspective and deep well of biblical wisdom to realign your spin on life.

 My favorite part is the fact that each chapter stands alone. This allowed me to be able to just read a chapter at a time and to be encouraged. I loved Patsy's wisdom, wit and humor. There are reflection questions at the end of each chapter to help you throughout the week. Each chapter talks about a different way to enjoy life despite its dark moments.   Patsy reminds us that we are never too old, too tired, too poor, too busy to appreciate what is really important. Each chapter talks about a different way to enjoy life despite its dark moments.This is a great read for women who need a shot of encouragement and refreshment for the soul.  

Disclaimer ~ I received this book free of charge for review purposes from BookLook Bloggers (formerly BookSneeze). All opinions shared here are solely my own.

A Broken Kind of Beautiful

Sometimes everything you ever learned about yourself is wrong

Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth—appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line—an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white. 

If only her tenuous future didn’t rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the façade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her—a woman stained and broken by the world—yet wants her still?

This book deals with serious problems and deep emotional trauma. But throughout the entire book the theme of redemption runs clear. "Fear not. I have called you by name. I have redeemed you." The book shows how damaging it can be to focus only on our outward appearance, Our worth doesn't come from our appearance or accomplishments, but instead our worth and identity comes from being a child of God.

Katie creates characters in this book that seem as if they are real, live, breathing people you actually know.The reader actually feels their pain and unhappiness.Each of these characters had been broken at some point in their life, This wa one of the best books I have read in a long time.

.I received this book for free from Waterbrook/Multnomah's Blogging for Books program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Shining Light by Judith Miller

West Amana, Iowa, 1890

After Andrea Wilson receives the devastating news that her husband has been lost at sea, she returns home to Iowa with her young son, Lukas. But what she finds there causes more heartache: The family farm has burned and her father has died, leaving Andrea with nothing.

Andrea must rely on the kindness of the people from the nearby Amana village who invite her to stay with them for a time. She discovers much generosity and contentment among the Amanans--especially from the tinsmith, Dirk Knefler, who takes her son under his wing. But is the simple, cloistered life in Amana what Andrea wants for Lukas's future? Is she willing to give up the comforts and freedom of the outside world? And when yet another round of shocking news comes her way, will Andrea ever be able to find the serenity and hope that have eluded her for so long?

I really enjoyed this book. I have read  other books by Judith Miller and I have enjoyed them all. I would recommend this book to others.

The characters were well-developed. They each had their own personal journey in learning to trust in God’s plan. All the characters in the story were  well developed with most of them being very loveable except for one. I liked the way the author had the story told from the perspective and in the voice of the main characters with the name of the character at the beginning of a chapter.

The plot was interesting! It was full of surprises, some good, some bad, but all making the story better. 

Themes covered in the book include growth in faith, overcoming fear, growth in love and friendship, and on the flip side, deception, and evil intent. The setting of the Amana colonies is an interesting and unique feature of this book, much different than Amish colonies.

Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the Author

Judith Miller is an award-winning writer whose avid research and love for history are reflected in her bestselling novels. She is the author of the popular Daughters of Amana and Home to Amana series, which explore the closed communities of the Amana Colonies. Judy makes her home in Topeka, Kansas. Learn more at www.judithmccoymiller.com..