An Author's "In-Between" Time (and Book Giveaway!)

         My initial idea was to tell how a typical author spends their time between books, their "down time."

But when I thought about it, the reality of what most authors do to maintain a career in publishing ruled out all of the following periods:  

 

 

a.  After the first draft is done 

This isn't down time, though a short celebration is in order.  Now it's time to edit and polish, which is often harder than writing the first draft.  

b. After you edit and polish--the book's ready for the world!

This isn't down time unless the book's already contracted and you can send it to your editor. (The work resumes when galleys arrive, but by this stage there isn't usually much to do on the text.)

If it's not under contract, it's time to write a proposal for your agent, or hunt for a publisher on your own--or Indie publish, which opens another can of worms!   

 

c. After you send it with a proposal to your agent  

Not down time because you're either working on marketing materials, interviews, media contacts, your website or newsletter, or returning to an incomplete manuscript and/or starting a new one.

d. After you Indie-publish 

Don't stop now, because much of the work has just begun. Unlike "Field of Dreams" it doesn't work to think, If I write it, readers will come. Un-uh. Indie publishers have many hats to wear, and marketing is a big one. 

e. d. After a good sales uptick   

You'd think that would be a good time to take a break and indulge in some "real" down time, right? Experts say the opposite is true. To stay on a readers' radar, you need to put out more books! Fast! 

Question: IS there such a thing as downtime for today's author?

In the past, writers wrote. Publishers marketed and sold books. Today, writers are expected to do it all, no matter who publishes the book. Yes, a big publisher will ease the burden, and prior success paves the way for easier marketing with each new book. But every author I know spends time on marketing and promotion, whether they've got a big name publisher or Indie publish.    

   

Note: This is why you can be eternally beloved by an author simply by taking a few minutes to post a good review of their book on Amazon or GoodReads or even Facebook. We need and appreciate the help in spreading the word!

So what is down time for me?
Like any professional in any field, I take breaks often. I hope you do, too. Productivity experts say output and quality of output increase when people are able to take breaks from their work. 

LET'S TALK DOWNTIME

I have favorite ways of relaxing and I'm sure you do, too. (Leave a comment below to tell us what yours are--you'll be automatically entered in the giveaway.) I have more, but here are my top three guilty pleasures. 

a. Watch a period flick. I love these! Recently I watched, "Ekaterina," a Russian series subtitled in English about Catherine the Great's rise to power. Really well done.

b.  Watch a Mets game. I'm a former New Yorker and a long-ago pitcher for Girls' Little League! I love baseball. My husband buys me MLB.tv for my birthday in March so I can watch the season's games. Sometimes I think I'd be better off not watching, because
              a. I could be writing!
              b. Though I'm usually not loud or demonstrative, put me in front of  a Mets game and I'm a different person. (Mike says he knows how the Mets are doing from the other side of the house. What can I say? You can take the girl out of New York, but....)

c. Read a great book.
Non-fiction doesn't count! Real down time requires fun reading. For instance, I picked up a new copy of Northanger Abbey at Half-Price books for a few bucks and read it (for the third time) just this week.  It's my favorite Austen novel. Of course, when I read Pride and Prejudice, that's my favorite. Mansfield Park is a favorite too. The fact is, whichever book of Jane's I'm reading is my FAVORITE!

 

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN. 

Leave a comment telling your favorite way to relax and you'll be entered in the giveaway!   

 

GIVEAWAY: 
A copy of any of my books * (Not the trilogy, but a single book from one of them)

And a  set of lovely French-Toile scented drawer liners

*Print copies to US residents only,  E-books everywhere else. \

So--what's your favorite way to spend "down time?" Even if you have to steal away to get it?

Leave a comment to enter,and CONTACT EMAIL so I can notify you if you win. 

Drawing ends on 9-28.   

The Mad, Mad World of Authors and Book Giveaway

READ THE POST TO ENTER THE BOOK DRAWING!

Note: I'm back to blogging. I'll still send out newsletters with all the varied content you've come to expect, but I can link to articles here and write more for those who care to read it.

Such as this...

The Mad, Mad, World of Authors

I was on the phone with a dear author friend of mine--who will remain nameless because of what I'm about to share. She's multi-published, and, like me, has a zillion ideas more than she'll ever be able to write. We can talk for hours about all the writing we're doing, would like to do, and hope to do--as well as other creative projects.

During our last call, she had me laughing silly when she shared that one day she'd been thinking about one of her books and suddenly had a brain freeze. She couldn't remember the title. This was a book SHE WROTE. It was published by a small press and has been out for years--but she couldn't recall the exact title.

I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes--mostly because it struck a chord. I should explain that we authors like to refer to our books in shorthand. For instance, Before the Season Ends, (my newest re-release) is simply B.T.S.E. to me. The sequel, The House in Grosvenor Square, is THIGS. So my friend could only remember the acronym of her book.

When I recently revisited my earlier books to edit them for new editions, I was delighted by some of my own writing as if reading it for the first time. Now--authors grow and improve in their craft, just like people in other fields. So I also saw things that did not delight me--which is why I can say the series has been "newly edited." But the fact remains that we often forget our own words.

Sometimes even our book titles.

Not Just Books

I once had to leave a cart full of groceries at the store because back then I used a debit card and suddenly could not remember my PIN number. I drove to the bank, and there discovered--horrors--I still needed that same PIN number to withdraw cash. And my brain freeze hadn't cleared yet. In the end, I had to go into the bank to withdraw cash and then return to the store to check out our groceries.

You can see why I laughed so hard when my friend couldn't remember her book title. I can relate all too well.

Book Giveaway

You don't need to be an author to have the occasional brain freeze. When was the last time it happened to you? Was it your phone number, your son's birthday, or maybe even the title of a book you've written? Share your answer in the comments and I'll draw one winner to get a copy of the just-released new edition of Before the Season Ends, or, The House in Grosvenor Square, both  heartwarming romances. (Enter the drawing even if you've read the old editions. You'll enjoy the new ones even more.)

Leave a comment to enter the drawing for a free copy!

PS: Don't forget to leave your contact info so I can notify you if you win! Leave email addresses like this: (for example) YourName (at) yourserver (dot) com. --so internet trolls can't glean your info.


DO YOU GET MY NEWSLETTER? If not, sign up here: http://www.LinoreBurkard.com

Why I Missed Autumn (And Why You Did, Too)

[Read the post, leave a comment, and be entered in the GIVE AWAY!]

First: About November in Particular
Autumn in September and October is colorful and wonderful, but November can be another story. Bare November days don't frighten me anymore, but at one time I found them repressive. Now, I can enjoy their particular beauty (which Robert Frost elucidates precisely in his poem, "My November Guest," featured in my latest newsletter. If you aren't on my subscriber list, you can access the issue HERE.)

I seem to remember a preponderance of grey gloomy days from Novembers in my youth, though now I think some of that gloom was because I lived in Queens, New York. Not the endless, drab row-house Queens Hollywood loves to portray (which makes up only a tiny fraction of what the county is like), but in the last small-town outside of New York City within Queens County--College Point. This is to say it wasn't because my surroundings were tenement houses or gloominess--on the contrary, College Point was mostly middle class and had the houses with backyards to prove it. Homes were close together by country standards, but our home featured a driveway on both sides of the house, both of which were framed by flower beds and neighboring green yards. Our back yard was about 1/4 acre. (Despite what you see on television, much of Queens is still like this.)   

Let me detour on a short history lesson: When I was a child and teenager College Point was still a small town. This was mostly because it was cushioned on three sides by the East Bay and had only three roads in--or out--two of which would flood after a good rain. In retrospect, these roads (harrowing if you were on a school or city bus that had to navigate a passage without getting stuck) were what kept us isolated. The mushrooming of other portions of Queens County into Astoria look-alikes (read: mini Manhattans) was held at bay for the near two decades of my life spent there. In contrast, the last time I was in College Point (summer of 2013), I kept saying, "What happened to Bedford Falls?" It now seemed more like Pottersville. The old College Point had vanished. 

In any case, Novembers were often gloomy then. I used to marvel that the great blue skies and fluffy clouds of September and October could disappear into the grey oblivion of gloomy November. As the days darkened, my spirits seemed to sink with them. New York winters seemed long and dark as well.

Nevertheless, as an adult, I often feel that I never enjoy the seasons as I did as a child, including Autumn even in November.  Yesterday, November 10th, the weather was unseasonably warm, and the sky a cheery blue. The radio forecaster warned that this would be the last of the warm weather for now, so I purposed to take my daily tea break in the yard to enjoy it. Sitting there, hardly hearing the sound of children's voices wafting over from a neighbor's property, it occurred to me that once again I was feeling as though I'd missed the season.

This didn't make sense, exactly.

As a gardener, I'd gotten to spend a few wonderful days cleaning out my garden, chopping the languishing frost-tipped greens to put  back into the beds to nourish next year's soil. I'd harvested the very last of the year's squash and tomatoes, reluctantly saying goodbye to the delight of fresh produce, but happy to have had these days to play in the dirt before winter. We'd also gone apple picking--twice--a definite must for Autumn in my case, if one is to try and be true to childhood's rhythms.   The accompanying smells of cinnamon and nutmeg filled the house, we ate homemade (Paleo) apple pies, and I infused the house with yet more of the heavenly scent by dehydrating a good amount of the 60 lbs of apples we picked, after sweetening them with a sprinkling of cinnamon and xylitol*. My daughter and I collected a respectable amount of pumpkins, and we even did a pumpkin craft when she had a friend sleep over. (See picture.)

Grace's owly pumpkin

So, in other words, I'd done my time. I'd been outdoors. I'd 'oohed and aaahed' at the fall colors on drives about the countryside. I closed up the summer backyard accoutrements, we'd covered the pool, and my husband was sealing up doors and windows to be winter ready. I'd even sat out on the pool deck in the afternoon sun just to admire the huge oaks around the property and the other beauties of the season.

So why was I still feeling like I'd missed it?

Second: About Autumns of Childhood, in Particular
As I sat outside, the sound of the children's laughter--one of whom was my daughter, as she was playing with friends--penetrated my jaded mind, and it hit me: I couldn't reclaim the feeling of being outdoors in the fall as I had when I was a child for the simple reason that I'm no longer one. I got kicked out of the club somewhere along the line, you might say, and there is no going back. You can't renew your membership in that one. I could sit outside for three hours and it wouldn't begin to echo the Autumns of my childhood because then, one hour would have been spent with my best friend Juni, as we hunted out newly fallen chestnuts hiding in the brown crunchy leaves; we'd pry them from their green, prickly houses for our collection. (There is nothing quite like extracting a beautiful shiny new chestnut from its casing. It felt to us little different, I'm sure, than a diver feels upon finding a pearl--though not quite as rare.)

The second hour would have been spent by walking and talking, kicking at leaves, making a pile of them, perhaps, or having a game of hand-ball in the schoolyard mid-way between the block and a half that separated my house from hers. Sometimes we'd walk down to the town park and traverse the paved trail that followed the rocky water's edge. It was fenced, keeping you safely off the rocks, but we had been known to find an opening in that fence and have a heck of a time balancing along the jutting--and treacherous-- rocks until we'd gotten clear to the other side of the park--where the fence abruptly ended. We might stop at the playground in that park and hit the swings, perhaps the monkey bars, too. By the time we got back home, just before dusk, our hands and feet were deliciously cold, and our cheeks red and frosty. THAT is how you enjoy an autumn day. 

Nowadays, I may be outside to do yard work, rake leaves, clean a garden, or even sit and admire the trees and sky, but I'll tell you something: It isn't the same. 

How did I miss Autumn? I missed it by growing up. And you, probably, did too.

What do you think? Is Autumn anything like that of your younger days? What do you do to enjoy the fleeting splendor of the season?  Leave a comment and I'll choose one person to win a copy of one of my books--my choice. Winner will be chosen using random.org, and will receive a copy of EITHER Before the Season Ends, The House in Grosvenor Square, OR The Country House Courtship.  

*Xylitol --a natural, diabetic safe sweetener used as a safer alternative to sugar. I use it as part of a healthy Paleo diet.
    

 Linore Rose Burkard is best known for writing historical regency romance. In addition to writing, she is a writing workshop instructor, homeschooling mother of five, gardener, Paleo cook, and reader. Subscribe to Linore's mailing list at http://www.LinoreBurkard.com.

Blog for Sale! (And Winner Announcement)

Yesterday's post went out by accident, so I apologize for the missing winner announcement.

I  still can't figure out how that happened, but in any case, here is the winner of the current giveaway: 

 

 

Veronica Sternberg!*

 

 

 BLOG FOR SALE

When I first started this blog, I called it "Today's Woman of Faith" because I was posting devotionals and Christian content with regard to books, ministries, and current events.

I've veered away from those posts--not because I'm less interested in these things but I really enjoy sharing information regarding healthy living and "honest learning." So I've prayed about it and agonized over it and I've decided to put the blog up for sale so that I can start one with a title that is more fitting for my content.

 

Do you know of a ministry that might want the WOMAN OF FAITH blog to call their own? Please spread the word that it's up for sale.

  

As for what to title my new blog? I need your help with that!

There are literally tons of food blogs and recipe blogs, but mine will be geared towards healthy living AND learning. I'll continue to feature Organic recipes, Paleo recipes, make it yourself home products and beauty products, etc. But it will also have posts on visiting museums and historic sites, since I love to do those things and share my experiences.

If you have an idea of something to call such a blog that can incorporate these interests beneath one umbrella--send it along. I'm putting together a basket of goodies for someone who sends me a winning name.

It's not that I see my current interests as clashing with the "Woman of Faith" title, but I recognize that women who lead ministries for other women could make better use of it. And I think it fails to describe the content I've been putting up.

So--as my readers, what do you think? Do you like the idea of my re-vamping what I'm doing with a new blog, new title, to better fit my healthy living and learning themes?

 I appreciate the feedback I've already received on this question, but please keep sending in your thoughts and ideas. What blog title would grab YOUR interest? What sort of content would make you check the blog often for new posts?

Regarding the sale of this blog: Interested parties please email me for details at Linore (at) LinoreBurkard (dot) com.
(*Veronica, please send me your complete mailing address via the above email so I can send out your prize!)        

No-Bake Brownies and Healthy Mini-Cakes

I promised to begin posting some of our favorite healthy desserts, so today I have two for you. Both recipes fit the bill for when you need something sweet, but don't want to sabotage your healthy eating lifestyle.

 

The Brownies are of the gooey sort; if you like yours more like cake, this may not be the recipe for you. (You could always add 1/4 cup of almond flour to the recipe and see if that makes it more cake-like, but I haven't tried it so I don't know if it will.) 

 

One of my daughters is a true chocaholic and these brownies pass her taste test AND satisfy her chocolate cravings, yet they're free of refined sugar and white flour--I call that a winning recipe. :)

Raw (No-Bake) Brownies & Frosting

1 cup walnuts

1 cup dates, softened

1/4 cup cacao powder, preferably raw

1/4 tsp vanilla 

 

Place walnuts, dates, cacao and vanilla in a food processor and process until a ball of dough forms. (Process well--until smooth)

Place brownie batter into an 8 x 8 in. baking dish and press down to form a consistent thickness.

Frosting  

1/4 cup raw cacao powder

1/4 cup coconut oil, (liquid)

 

Mix cacao and coconut oil by hand or in blender until emulsified. Frost brownie. Freeze for 10 minutes and then cut into squares and enjoy! 

The following recipe would work as a donut if you have the pan for it. If not, just make muffins as we do.  The glaze topping is optional, but it adds a wonderful touch. You won't believe how sweet it tastes--with no sugar!

Paleo Mini-Cakes (Muffins)

1/4 cup almond flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

3 eggs

2 Tablespoons honey

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

 

Mix all together. Bake in muffin cups @ 350 F. for 10-15 minutes, or until brown. Add glaze topping. (optional)

 

Glaze Topping

1 banana

2 Tablespoons milk

 

Microwave 30 seconds and then mash up banana and milk. Add another dash of milk, if necessary, to bring to glaze consistency. Use a knife or pastry brush to glaze muffin tops. 

 

You could also sprinkle cinnamon or chopped nuts, (or even chocolate mini-chips) over the tops of muffins after glazing, if desired.  My favorite is finely chopped nuts.   

In a hurry? 

If you absolutely must have something sweet but don't have time to make something, my go-to solution is organic dark chocolate. Trader Joe's has some good selections. A small piece of chocolate, which I sometimes slather peanut-butter over, is a craving-quencher that is very low on sugar but high in antioxidants.  You may be surprised to find that one or two bitefuls is really enough to give you that feeling of having indulged in something decadent, but without the guilt. Try it!

Giveaway Still Going On

Don't forget that the giveaway of Inspiring Women of the Faith is still going on. Leave a comment to be entered. Each comment counts as one entry.

 

How Kids Think

WE HAVE A WINNER  Did you enter the drawing for the beautiful romantic cupcake set I'm giving away? If so, the winner announcement follows this post, so read on!

How Kids Think

Any mom knows how tough it is to keep the whole family happy when it comes to food on the table, or even in the cupboards, for that matter. I try my darndest not to run out of the staples my husband cares most about, such as eggs, milk and cream for coffee.  But keeping the offspring happy can be tricky.

For instance, anyone following this blog knows how I've reformed my eating habits. I eat mostly organic, fresh foods, and have drastically decreased consumption of processed foods for the family. If anything, it raises the challenge of keeping happy campers because the kids need to re-learn healthy habits, too.

Kids are supposed to learn quickly, aren't they? Ha--witness the list I found on the fridge this morning: 

Older child put up the list. Youngest child added items 2 and 3: "Junk Food" and "Maccoronie"(sic)"

 The youngest knows it would be fruitless to say to me, "Mom, we need junk food!" but apparently putting it on a list is different. (I'm surprised she didn't add "Thou Shalt Buy," before her items.)

Just so you know, I sometimes DO buy food I consider "junk" because it's my fault I've raised junkies, and I don't want their transformation to healthy eating to cause withdrawal pains! (Some people consider sugar to be a drug, by the way. Sally Fallon includes information about this in Nourishing Traditions, a book I've spoken about before here on the blog. Dr. Mercola also warns about sugar as being drug-like; check out his post called "Is Sugar More Addictive than Cocaine?")

At the same time, I believe our penchant for preferring sweets is a God-given thing, so it's not all bad. Fortunately, I'm seeing my older daughter making more and  more healthy desserts, with no prodding on my part. (I'll share some of those recipes eventually.) She benefits in two ways: learning the ropes in the kitchen, (as she experiments with substituting healthy sweeteners for empty calories in white sugar) AND by discovering that eating healthy can be satisfying and yes--even sweet!

Are you trying to re-educate the youngsters in your life? How is that going for you? Maybe you're still trying to educate yourself--aren't we all! Share a comment and you'll be entered in my new drawing for the following:

  
Inspiring Women of the Faith--Stories about Sojourner Truth, Florence Nightingale, Corrie Ten Boom and many others. This is the sort of book I like my daughters to read; books that show women have always had gumption--courage--and used it for God. Recently I noticed in the Book of Chronicles, for instance, that there was a woman named Sheera who is credited with building three cities! A woman--in ancient Israel--BUILT three cities. (I'm not saying she was the actual brick-layer, but she WAS the mastermind, the architect, the visionary and director. I call THAT inspiring.)


Leave a comment and you're in the drawing for the book.

AND NOW: WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE JUNE GIVEAWAY:

   

 The winner of this lovely set (left) is MELODY, "Missionwife." 
Congratulations, Melody! Perhaps you'll find a healthy dessert recipe here or somewhere else (like Wellness Mama) so that you eat well while eating beautifully. :)
 

Welcome to the Regency!

My youngest daughter in front of a regency gown display at the Cincinnati Museum

Just for fun, I thought I'd share some illustrations from my favorite era in history to write about: The Regency, of course! If you're not familiar with this turbulent dawn of the nineteenth century in England, please check out my free PDF, "Welcome to the Regency." It will give you a fun, quick overview so that you'll understand what it means to read a "regency romance" as opposed to Victorian, or Early American, etc.

Far too often, this blog is SERIOUS, so today is just for FUN. I have an eclectic collection of period illustrations, and I'll be sharing some of my all-time faves. 

Here goes!

The "quintessential" Regency Evening Get-Together. Cards and Conversation.

The female waistline shows that this illustration is actually post-Regency (but pre-Victorian) and I love it because it is indicative of a wonderful spirit of worship which existed among the faithful during even the hedonistic Regency.

A Regency Girls' Day Out?

Headgear 1802

 Bonnets! 1812

I use the above as the background of my Twitter profile--gotta love a great bonnet!

 

 

This exquisite outfit fascinates me. The shawl is a work of art in itself.

 

 

This woman's hat looks suspiciously like a mobcap. I love it's exuberance of lace. This portrait, in fact, was the model I used to imagine the housekeeper for Mr. Mornay's residence in The House in Grosvenor Square. 

Quintessential Early Regency Style--feminine and beautiful

I have a weakness for illustrations with mothers and children. I'll do a post someday with this theme. (Btw, look how nicely the serving-man is dressed!)

Lord Grantham. A Regency hunk. :)!

A many-caped greatcoat. (I love to put one of these on any of my heroes when they're at the whip, that is, driving an equipage.)

Men's Fashions 1810

Hope you enjoyed this peek into this beautiful era. Don't forget to download my free PDF "Welcome to the Regency," if you haven't, already. 

CURRENT GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing for the current giveaway:

Leave contact information in your comment, please, so I can notify you if you win! Drawing will be held on 
Sunday, June 19th, after midnight.

Three Things & Contest Winners!

1. Announcing

...winners for the last two giveaways here at Woman of Faith!  (Finally!) The first giveaway winner receives
the book English Country House Murders, and the CD, "Voices of the Faithful," from Beth Moore Presents.

And the winner is....MARY PRESTON. Congratulations, Mary! I'll need your mailing address to send your prizes so please email me at Linore(at)LinoreBurkard(dot)com.

The 2nd giveaway was for a free copy of Pearls from the Sea, by MaryLu Tyndall and Debbie Mitchell.
And the winner is....VICKIE MARNEY. Congratulations, Vickie! Your ebook will be automatically mailed to you by one of the authors.

Hope you both enjoy your prizes. :)

2. UPDATE to "If Sickness Doesn't Kill You, Modern Medicine Will."

Last week I wrote about having gone for a CT Scan at my doctor's request, which he felt was necessary because I have high cholesterol. I mentioned that high cholesterol, according to the latest science, has absolutely NO causative relation to heart disease, especially in women. I went for the scan, received a chest full of radiation (yuck!) and said I'd get back to you with the results. I felt that maybe the toxicity of the test would be worth it if I found out something useful.

So--the results came back (the very next day): I have a score of ZERO cardiac calcium. "You have NO heart disease," the nurse told me during the call. So I underwent getting all that radiation to find out it wasn't necessary. I am trying to console myself with the fact that it was good news--even though the test WASN'T necessary--it is far better to find out that I have no diseased cardiac arteries, than to feel it was worthwhile getting it because I do. 

Bottom line: Don't be eager to undergo tests that aren't necessary, especially if they entail radiation exposure. If I could turn back the clock, I'd ask, instead, for a test that measures arterial blockage in the neck, and that is far less toxic, if at all. I'm not sure why my doctor didn't suggest this test to begin with, and I will ask him that at my next opportunity. 

3. The Sale Continues! (But for how much longer?)

 

It's odd to be an author and not know when your books go on sale but it happens. Recently I was on Amazon and discovered accidentally that my books (the Kindle editions) were on a deeply discounted sale! Apparently, ( a reader told me) that the Nook editions are also at these bargain prices.

Before the Season Ends   Only $1.99                                    

The House in Grosvenor Square  Only $2.51

The Country House Courtship  Only $3.03

I love sales because it means more readers take a chance on me; some of my dearest friends are women who read my books and contacted me! Of course I enjoy getting more readers anyway, but a great deal on my books is something I'm happy to tell others about. I love a deal myself, so I can totally identify with you on that.  

The Regency Books on Sale on Nook

Stay tuned for an announcement of the new drawing--June is the month for weddings and romance, so I have something beautifully fun and romantic to give away! All commenters this month are automatically entered in the drawing, so even if you comment today, it counts.  I'll have a picture of the June giveaway by tomorrow.
Hugs and Blessings,
Linore

If Sickness Doesn't Kill You, Modern Medicine Will

Note: I have excerpts from Mary Lu Tyndall's and Deb Mitchell's new devotional for you (and a giveaway!) below, but first, pardon my rant. I have something to get off my chest--or out of, you might say!

OK, so I have high cholesterol, which, in case you haven't been following the latest science, is not shown to cause heart disease, especially in women. Read this carefully: CHOLESTEROL IS GOOD FOR YOU. Nevertheless, mine is VERY high, and so I agreed, at my doctor's suggestion, to get a cardiac calcium score. Somehow I was thinking it was an echocardiogram type of test. He assured me it wasn't in the least invasive.

Today I went for the test, only to find out it's a CT Scan. So I just filled my chest with radiation to check a score due to high cholesterol which isn't dangerous.  Aargh! I spend more to buy organic food, raw milk, free-range eggs, and so on, all in an effort to ensure good health. Then in one fell swoop I am dosed with countless radioactive particles--on doctor's orders. If it turns out that my cardiac arteries are in fact loaded with calcium clinging to their sides, then I suppose this may have been worth the toxicity. IF it turns out that way. I'll let you know. In the meantime, take a lesson from me and learn to ask more questions than you think you need to when your doctor orders a test.

(Oh, and I had to pay $100 bucks to get a chest full of radiation. I found out when I got there that my insurance won't cover it--which in itself raises questions. If a test is necessary and helpful, shouldn't it be covered?) 

Well--onto something much more edifying.  I have great excerpts for you from

 Pearls from the Sea: 180 Days Sailing the High Seas with Jesus at the Helm.  

    

Read the excerpts and you'll see this is a book that will enrich your devotional time with the Lord. I love the theme of oceans and sailing as we all know that wind and bad weather accost us from many sides in life. Mary Lu Tyndall, in case you're not already acquainted with her, writes wonderful historical swashbuckling adventures, and so she is on very familiar territory. Deb Mitchell is new to authorship, but is an avid reader and Christian.

Ryan Smith, an Amazon reader, says, "This devotional is awesome, and easy to read and understand. It has humor too. I highly recommend it. I love it!!"

Excerpt #1: (Mary Lu Tyndall)

A Stuck Rudder

Jumbo, one of the largest elephants in captivity, was part of the Barnum and Bailey circus for a number of years. He was a gentle giant who used to give rides to children on his back. When Jumbo was captured as a baby, his owners would tie him to a stake to keep him from escaping. Since he couldn’t pull himself from the stake, he learned to remain where he was. As he grew, he became so strong and mighty that he was known to pick up massive trees with his trunk and uproot them from the ground. Yet, still, every night, his owners would tie him to this simple, tiny stake in the ground, and he never tried to escape. Why, when it would have been no problem at all for him to yank that stake from the ground and gain his freedom? Because he had learned when he was little that he couldn’t pull up the stake, and he continued in that belief well into adulthood.

Now, think of yourself as that tiny elephant. That’s you before you met Christ. That’s you when you were young in the faith, or when you didn’t really know God or understand His power, when your spiritual muscles were weak. Problems easily overwhelmed you, and your rudder got stuck in the mud. You couldn’t move. You couldn’t live the life God had for you because you didn’t know how to pull your rudder from the mud and sail away. You thought you were helpless. You didn’t know who God made you to be.

Do you realize that as a committed Christian, you are the child of the King of the Universe? Do you realize who your Daddy is? Do you realize the power He’s given you at your fingertips, the strength? the wisdom?

Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37 NLT).

If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31NIV)?

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)!

Why are you standing there next to that tiny stake? Why are you allowing that same problem to keep your rudder stuck? Change your thinking. Seek God. Study His Word. Mature in your walk with God. You are a child of the King! Call upon the God of the universe, your Daddy, and flex your faith muscles, and then wait and see what He will do.

One of the biggest problems many Christians struggle with is unbelief. They simply don’t believe who they are in Christ. They are still encumbered with problems they’ve had since childhood, not realizing that God not only wants to set them free, but can set them free.

Don’t be like Jumbo. Wise up and free your rudder.

Walt, another reader on Amazon, says:  "If you are tired of the same old devotionals that all feel and look the same this is bit of fresh air. Well worth the time very well priced."

Excerpt #2: (Debbie Mitchell)

Shake the Sand out of Your Shorts

I love going to the ocean and walking along the shoreline, allowing the waves to caress my feet. During the course of the day, the tides can change how the waves come and go. Sometimes, the waves are small and gentle, and you can walk along the shoreline without any fear of being pushed into the water. Then there are times when the crash of waves is so strong, you have to be careful your feet don’t fly out from under you.

Years ago, when I used to go to the ocean quite often, I saw a small child playing along the shoreline, and a wave came in and knocked him down. When he got back up, his shorts were filled with so much sand that it weighed him down as he waddled back to his parents.

Life can hit us as hard as a wave crashing onto the shore.

In our spiritual walk, when things weigh heavy on our minds, we can be like that child. Our shorts get so full of sand (worry, fear, illness, etc.) that our steps begin to slow down. At times like this, we need to call upon our Savior to lighten our load.

In Matthew 11:28–30, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus doesn’t want us to be burdened by this life. He wants us to be strong so that we can face anything that comes our way. And when we occasionally fall in the sand and water, through Christ we are able to stand up and shake the sand from our shorts and continue on without delay.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:10–11 NIV).

Be prepared for what’s ahead. Plant your feet firmly in the sand so that you can stand against any waves that may come your way.

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen (Amos 1:24–25 NLT).

 Click here to see the book on Amazon.com, and leave a comment to enter the drawing for a free download of the ebook.  Do you use devotionals? Tell us why or why not, and you'll be entered in the drawing! I'll choose a winner next week, using random.com.  Thanks, and may you be blessed with that free copy!

Pearls from the Sea Giveaway!

I have a recommendation for you today for a unique devotional by two Christian women, one of whom (Mary Lu Tyndall) is multi-published in historical fiction. I've really enjoyed the novels by her that I've read. Co-author Debbie Mitchell is a woman much like you: an avid follower of Jesus, a reader, a learner. These ladies got together and, using the motif of taking a "journey with Jesus at the helm of your ship," they've produced this sweet little book that I hope to read soon, myself:
Pearls from the Sea: 180 Days Sailing the High Seas with Jesus at the Helm
From what I know of these two women, this book has got to be a treasure. 

And thanks to their generosity, one of my commenters can win a free ebook copy! Leave a comment to enter the drawing. But first, read more about the book, below.     

 All aboard! From the shores of salvation to eternity's horizon, embark on a 180 day journey with Jesus at the helm of your ship. You'll encounter storms, ship wrecks, and battles but you'll also enjoy days of smooth sailing, glorious sunsets, and rainbows that span the skies. In short:  Life with Jesus is an adventure. But He will never steer you wrong. Is your compass broken? Need some wind in your sails? Lost your anchor? Or maybe you've spotted an enemy ship on the horizon--they come all too often. If any of the above sound like you, come aboard! Join us as we help you trust in the Captain of your souls. (And hang on. You're in for the voyage of your life!)

MaryLu Tyndall Bio

MaryLu Tyndall is a Christy Award Nominee and author of eleven Inspirational Historical Romance Novels.  Her books are not only known for their romance and adventure but for their strong spiritual themes. MaryLu has been walking with God for fifteen years, but prior to that, her experience as an agnostic has given her a unique perspective on things both spiritual and carnal. Her life mission is to encourage believers to not take for granted the love and power of God and to live their lives fully for Him!  MaryLu lives in California with her husband, six children, and three cats.

                                     Debbie Mitchell Bio

A Sunday school teacher for over 20 years, Debbie Mitchell is a firm believer in reading through the Bible annually; she is working on her 13th time through. Keeping in the Word and teaching Sunday School has helped her to recognize and face the enemy. She lives in California with her husband Jack and their two dogs. She has one son, two daughters, two sons-in-law and has been blessed with grandchildren that truly make her days.

Note From the Authors:

It is our prayer that readers will be blessed by this devotional, that these messages God has given us will bring them closer to Him and empower them to keep sailing strong for His glory! Especially when the storms hit.

We all need strength behind our sails during storms. Has God helped you through a storm, recently? He can do so through so many different means, but often simply by the taking to heart of his Word. OR by a good devotional that helps us do so! Leave a comment for your chance to win this one. :) Thanks. And thank you to Mary Lu and Debbie for supplying that copy for one reader.   

Productive Days & Recipe

What do you consider a productive day?

Getting errands done?
Grocery shopping?
Cleaning a few rooms?

For me, productive days fall into categories (and probably for you, too), such as, Homeschooling,
Writing, Editing, Shopping, or Baking or Cooking, to name a few.  Today I had a productive Kitchen day. (Don't you just love a productive kitchen day?)

For me, it looked like this: I got the kids started on their respective homeschooling lessons, made fermented oatmeal, started a batch of yogurt, picked up our week's supply of raw milk and cage-free eggs from a local farm, AND I started a fermented granola recipe (which takes 24 hours to ferment so you can't finish it all at once) and made my first-ever loaf of Paleo bread. (I'm really proud of that bread! It's sitting on my counter cooling right now and smells great.)

Here. I took a picture for the curious. :)  It didn't rise as high as the picture on the recipe looked. I used a different bread pan, which I suppose could account for that.

 It came out more as a quick bread style loaf, rather than sandwich style, so I'll keep trying new recipes until I get one that works for sandwiches. BUT I just tasted a slice and it's really good! (recipe below)

I also finished up my May recipes for the month, and have almost finished the accompanying shopping lists. When I get a month's worth of recipes in place, that means I have a plan and I don't have to worry about last-minute "what's for dinner" panic moments.  I also feel that I've accomplished something worthwhile.

My youngest is done with school for the day and my high schooler is almost there, so I'm just about ready to take an iced drink outside to the deck to enjoy this beautiful spring sunshine before starting dinner.

How about you? Did you get any good gardening done today? Or baking? Writing?
Tell me what makes you feel like you've accomplished something worthwhile by leaving a comment and you'll be entered into the current drawing for ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSE MURDERS, book on the right.
("More Tea, Vicar?" is unfortunately no longer available--I'm substituting it with another English and/or Jane Austen themed CD. Details to follow. Sorry for the change!) But the book and a similar CD will be awarded to one commenter by the 15th of the month.) So leave your comment today!  

:     And here's the Paleo Bread recipe I followed, originally from Elana's Pantry. (Click the link and you'll see her bread looks much more like a sandwich bread than mine. I'll have to look into getting that "Magic Line Loaf Pan," that she used.) Anyway, the bread has no flour, no sugar (a small amount of honey) and practically no carbs at all. I wouldn't go crazy eating half a loaf, however, since it does have a lot of nutrient-dense nut flours and healthy fats. Enjoy!

Paleo Bread

1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour (available on Amazon.com)

2 Tablespoons coconut flour

1/2 cup golden flaxseed meal

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

5 eggs

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 Tablespoon honey

1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1. Place almond flour, coconut  flour, flax, salt and baking soda in a food processor. (I just whisked my ingredients. This could be another reason my bread turned out differently. When I saw that it only called for "pulsing," I figured I could get the same results without the processor. Apparently, I was wrong!)

2. Pulse ingredients together.

3. Pulse in eggs, oil, honey and vinegar

4. Pour batter into a greased 7.5" x 3.5 " Magic Line Loaf Pan

5. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes.

6. Cool and serve. 

Happy Baking! And don't forget to leave a comment to enter the drawing. When you comment on more than one post, you get more than one entry. (One entry per comment)

Thank you and Good luck!