September!
   Signs of fall are creeping in...cooler weather and Harvest time!!
   This is a great time of year...its another one of those "New beginning" moments. New school year for kids and time for me to re-coop from the summer break! Time to put my house back in order and to start looking ahead to the holidays....YES! The holidays! If I don't start now, then it overwhelms me. I hate rushing around at Christmas time ...so I begin now, to slowly...quietly...begin to prepare.
    I do this in the middle of canning season, putting my house in order, and evaluating my goals! It is like the last quarter of the year...Have I met my goals of the past three months? How am I doing on my long term goals for the year? Now it's time to get ready for the last stretch of the season, so to speak.
    Here's to the beginning of your happy holiday season!! Around the corner...is Halloween, Thanksgiving and then soon Christmas will be upon us! Start planning now for a calmer, more relaxing holiday time!

Check out my new part of my blog. "My Blog Boutique!" Click on the link above! Thank for your support!  AND check out my new Blog, "Donetta's Holiday House."

Check out my latest publications!!
   #1....Exercise... Created for myself..but sharing with those who like to write down their goals. This is a book with a commitment of one year of daily exercising! It has a monthly charts to mark off, suggestions for light eating. Exercise suggestions in the back. Don't forget to drink lots of water! Simple... but a tangible record of a goal! "A goal not written is only a wish."

#2....Cooking on a Tight Budget--and Other Helpful Cooking Tips!...This book was created for my daughters. They are always calling for help and for family recipes. I love to help them, so I decided to put it in writing! This book includes: Nutritional information, shopping lists with menus for a small family on a very tight budget. Recipes for home cooked meals instead of boxed foods. Yummy foods that your family will love. Great gift for kids leaving home, newly marrieds...or because you want a delicious recipe of "Back to Basics" cooking!

Check out my 'Author page for my non-fiction publications' above for more information.

New page added to the line up!
 Shop: "Quilts and More" for Sale!
        Coming soon!

Daniel is the one in the suit, of course!

This page will be dedicated to my son's Missionary fund. I will be making and selling quilts, comforters, and blankets. All Home crafted and original one of a kind!
   Please support Daniel in his efforts to serve! We are waiting to hear where he will be going!
    Check it out and support Daniel!

There is change in the air!!! Summer time will be coming to a close...some have already had to head back to school. The beginning of a new school year always was cause to think. Think of what, you ask? I think about Goals!! What will I accomplish in this new school year? What will help me reach my goals by the end of the school year?

        I may not be in school now, but this time of  year always has me reflecting. I set goals in January. Have I achieved any of them? I still have time before this year runs out to work on my personal goals. What do I have to do to reach my goals with the time I have left? This is my 'check and balance' time. I evaluate, set new small goals to help me get going again on my larger goals---or throw them out and make new goals if need be!

     Another great part of this year is...buying new school supplies! I LOVE new pens and paper. Isn't it exciting to get all new 'stuff'! Plus the organizers! I buy those 50 cent notebooks for all sorts of uses....mainly for writing notes about new books I want to write these days---I organize the names and details of the  town and the characters in my book. I put any research I do in those notebooks. I keep track of pages and work count also. Much to consider when writing a book!

    

Another event for this time of year is The County Fair for my family! My kids are involved in 4-H...just as I was in my youth. (10 years for me!) It is a great program that helps promote kids self-esteem and they learn many other skills too! The best part is the friendships you make....

along with the prize money! 
** (fun note: Daniel made the small animal showmanship tables as his Eagle project for Scouts! He did an awesome job!)

     

Summer is in full force! I love my AC!! That is all I can say about it!

     A touch of coolness to remind you that summer doesn't last forever!

Thanks to those who took part in the sale!! Hope you enjoyed the stories! Tell a friend.

KINDLE BOOK SALE ........July 8th to July 11th!!

 "Moments in Time-4th of July Short Stories."    
             
 ON SALE TODAY!  (Click this link)$1.99 for four days!

             

JUNE! This month is the beginning of summer break for most of us....well, at least the kids. What are you going to do to keep them busy? Any fun summer vacation plans? I have Stay-cation plans....not going far this year.
    Camping is our number one plan for my daughter and I. My sister is coming with her kids in July....YAY! Its been a while and we are excited!
    Personal plans....the normal.... try to clean the clutter corners that seem to creep up on us. Mine seemed to have crept in and then invited more into their space. My sewing room needs an overhaul, living room needs painted. The garden is already planted, so it will need tending. I hope to write a spectacular book and get a few  in print that I have already waiting on my computer.
      Then there are the trips to Christensen's Pond...we wait for that all year. We have two dates reserved! Check it out online. Its a ton of fun and we take our friends and family and have a great time!

      Hope your summer is packed full of good times! But most of all...enjoy the time with your family. Make time for those quiet moments: Look at the stars in your own front yard, take a walk with your someone. Read a book together as a family...it doesn't all have to be hustle and bustle. Make it a Family Summer Time!  
** The pond is owned by a local farmer who created this fun recreation place for his family. He shares it...free of charge with the community...you just have to get your name on the calendar and that is hard to do! We love it and appreciate their great generosity!

New book out today!
Check it out on my author page! Find it on Amazon--print and Kindle form!

My youngest son has graduated from high school! Daniel, I am
so proud of the young man you have become. You are strong, full of love for family and friends, and has a giving heart. He puts God first in his life and it shows in his actions.
    He is planning on serving a mission, then on to college. Right now he is working his first 9 to 5 job and coming home dirty from head to toe! (Working at a Tractor Junk yard.)
    When I was going through my cancer treatments he was 14. He took charge of the yard. He made me dinners and saw that I was comfortable. He and his youngest sister who was 10 at the time became my angels of mercy. They took care of me, the house and each other. I loved hearing them talking back and forth to each other!  I am so proud of the loving people they have become.
   Daniel, I love you. I wish you the happiest life and all the blessings that follow a person as kindhearted as you are.
    Daniel loves sports. He was all-conference Defense and Offensive line-football!! He is an amazing tennis player...don't let the size fool you! He has a recorded 100 mph serve and quick on his feet.
 He also did well at Track and field in shot put and disc. He is an Eagle scout.
 Daniel plays the guitar and has a DEEP singing voice! He is also a great swing dancer. He and his sister, Gretchen, have spent hours practicing and then teaching it, sharing their fun at community youth dances on Saturday nights in our neighboring communities. He is such a fun person!
   You are an awesome person...and I love you so much!

Enjoy life Daniel! You have the best of life's greatest moments still coming ahead of you! 

This month is mother's day! Don't forget your moms! They are the core of who we are! I have dedicated "My Favorite Things" and my "Happy Homemaker" post to my mother. Check it out! I love you, mama! There is a song post on "My Favorite Things" be sure to click on it. I recently heard this song...it spoke to my heart! It is our family's song!

    Colton's Cabin has been released!! 

Enjoy a great, clean read romance. Book 3 in 
An Orchard Grove Series!' Read about it on my Author's pages!

                      Check it out!

April is already here! The weather is changing back and forth...cold with snow clouds floating over head, then the next day it is a sky full of warm sunshine and rising temperatures. Just as we say, "Yes, spring is finally here!" We wake up to more clouds and cold temperatures.

   Remember the old saying... "April showers bring May flowers." I love the April flowers also! Tulips, Daffodils, and Hyacinths! Gorgeous signs of spring.I love flower season!!


    The other fun signs of spring for our family are tennis rackets and new running shoes! Our family has enjoyed the sport of tennis. Two of my kids have state champion titles and went on to play college tennis. My son, Martin, took first in singles and doubles at Divisional for his college team his second year. Melanie played tennis in college and went on to use her love for tennis. She currently works at a tennis club and is a certified instructor. Daniel is a senior and has scholarship offers waiting for him.He has a recorded serve at 110 mph. He is hoping to follow in his siblings footsteps and place at state this year. Tennis is a sport that doesn't end in high school. It is a life long sport. Everyone can enjoy it! In our family, we start them young! (Picture of Heath, Melanie's baby.)

Fun story: Melanie and her family were here this past weekend. Heath is almost 3 now. We were driving in the car past some green wheat fields and Heath would push up out of his chair to look out the window. "There! There is a tennis ball! See it?" or "I see a tennis ball! Let's go get it!" He had tennis on the brain! It was so fun! The kids all made time to head to the tennis courts while Melanie and her family were visiting. Fun times!
      There are so many fun family, spring-time activities....I hope your family has a favorite one! The most important things is...Just spend time together! Laugh, make memories...it will bring your family closer! Happy Spring!

A new month!
 March can be such a fun month...it is beginning to feel like spring again...we start planning what we will do in the warm weather...gardening, spring sports, walking or hiking a little more. 
      I am seeing the long thin leaves of the tulips and daffodils sprouting out of the ground. Now I will begin to watch for the first bloom! Ah....Spring is coming again! Can't you feel it? Take a deep breath when you are outside.
     Each month makes me think of new goals, new projects and more family time outside!
      It's such a great time of the year! I hope you feel the energy of the season and have a great Springtime to come!!


Introducing my newest Non fiction booklet.

 This is a motivational booklet about finding Happiness! It is within our reach to be happy every day. Each one of us has burdens to bare, but we can still enjoy the small joys that have been placed here for us to find and experience. Perfection is not going to happen. Trials are meant to helps us recognize the difference between joy and sorrow. We can be find happiness in our circumstances, no matter what they may be.
Read more about this book on my 'Author' page by clicking the link above.

Newly released book!
Check it out on my author page and find it on Amazon in print and Kindle.

"A Dangerous Romance".... this is a little bit different style for me. Romance and intrigue mixed together in a modern day setting. Meet Isaac Morris and Sadie Carter!

 February 2016 .....Sweet reflections!





This past week has been a sweet week. As of January 28th, I have a new grand
daughter.  Emery Rae was born at 3:50 a.m.. 6 lbs and 10 ozs. Holding that new tiny life causes a person to reflect on what is important. Up to that minute, my week had been horrible. The past few days had been hard, and just plain stressful. People in my house were snippy and being rude...for petty reasons mostly. Then we got the call (actually a text!) that my son's wife was in labor....5 weeks early. Boy, did our thoughts change, our priority shifted, and the petty arguments were no more.
     I held that sweet baby again today. I thought of her tender life in my hands. Granted, I am the grandmother, not her mother, but the influence I will have in her life is still just as great. I have a responsibility to be the best person I can be. The example I set for her will have a life long effect and continue on into the future.
    I think of my own grandmother. Grandma Sue. What a grand lady she was! I loved her dearly. I spent a lot of time with her in my youth. I learn so much from her. Grandma was such a talented women! She played the piano and organ, could do every craft you could ever dream of and did it extremely well. She reupholstered her own furniture! She painted pictures--oil and water color.
     She was always learning something new! She would get up early to get her chores done so she could have time to work on her new creative project she was working on.
     Grandma canned, kept an immaculate house, and made the best cookies! She was amazing! What  I remember most was her mischievous smile, and her finger that she would point at me as she was making a point. I loved her little laugh as she found humor in the little things in life. I appreciated her quiet testimony of Christ.
     She left behind a great legacy and I want to be the kind of grandma that Sue Nelson was to me...to our sweet Emery...and to all of my nine grandchildren.
   

New release!

Is it a wish or a Goal! A goal is only a wish until it is written down.
Its time to get those goals set! And to do that I created a new Personal Planner. Everyone has good intentions, but i have learned if it isn't written down it probably won't get done. So here is a booklet to help you organize your personal goals for 2016!
     It has 55 weeks of goal setting pages. Set those goals for spiritual, physical, family, and social improvement. Be more organized this year: Plan your menus. Finish those unfinished projects. Plan new ones! Remember birthdays and those important appointments. Find it at Createspace estore or amazon! Now...for $10.00! Get started!

Personal Planner.....$10.00

Check out my other books on my Author Page above!

Happy New Year's!! 2016!

    I love New Years! I love to start a new year! New goals. Start fresh with new beginnings! I don't know about you...but I need that. I need this time of renewal. I need that fresh start. Whether it be exercise, or a new schedule to  keep the house organized, or a new job even! I am so ready for a jump start to do new things!
    Don't you get tired of the same old thing? Boy, I do....I need a new pair of pants, I need to rearranged the furniture, I need a new attitude....and That seems to always come with the New Year for me. I am so ready to begin! SO put on your happy face and let's do it!
    I have a new book to write...but in a clean office. I have a new quilt block to sew for Quilt group...in a new design! I need to smile more, to look for the good more! Hey...Now is the time! No need to put it off any longer!
    Make the changes that you have been wanting to do! Refresh you life...refresh your attitude and...Have a Great New Year....2016!

Merry Christmas! Christmas can be a lot of things to people, but to me it is family and traditions. Decorating the tree together, eating certain foods, Christmas cookies, the CDs you listen to this month. There are certain Christmas songs that can take me back to a childhood memory instantly. So what is your favorite Christmas song? 
    The greatest tradition of Christmas is celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We start our Christmas season focusing on his birth by reading the Christmas story from The Bible in Luke 2. That is when Christmas has truly started for us! The rest is fun and family time! Merry Christmas to all of you!

Feeling Grateful for so many things!
I am grateful for my life! My family---the great parents that raised me, my wonderful friends and siblings. I am so thankful for my own family--my husband, Greg, my wonderful 6 children! I love my grand kids. I am so very grateful for my sweet little grand children and each of their entertaining personalities. 
    I am thankful for the talents God blessed my life with. I have been blessed with music in my life. My children have also been blessed with the special gift and it fills my home with soothing music. I love to write and I want to thank everyone who has ever bought one of my books. I appreciate your support! Thanks so much to you! Happy Thanksgiving!
     
                                                                          

 This time of year is my favorite....fall comes with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas....That spells FAMILY to me.
    I just published my very first Christmas story I was ever brave enough to share. "A Christmas Wish." I  copied it out with a Christmas tree cover and sold them for $2.00 a story at a craft boutique. I sold about 15 copies. That is when I actually begin to feel the courage to sell my writing. "Darla's Decision" was in the process, but this story was my first real sell.
   It is written in 1926 time period. It is about a young girl raised in an orphanage and her journey to find God's love in her life. This is a short story. But good things come in small packages!
    A perfect gift!

Available on Amazon Kindle today....print form available in 2 weeks. (today is Oct. 1st) Mark your calendars!  ***PRINT AVAILABLE NOW!!

September is here....and it is already cold. Winter may be early this year. While I was camping in August the leaves in the Aspens were already turning yellow. Changes are in the air.
      I love change. It represents new beginnings for me. I have always enjoyed moving, even though it meant leaving friends or family behind...it was always a new adventure to me. 
    We seemed to move a lot in our earlier married life...every three years we moved with work, and in that three years we might have even moved within that town. 
    I remember when we had lived in Dripping Springs, Arizona for about 4 years. (We actually lived there for 9 all total)....My brother showed up out of the blue. He sat down and grinned and said, "I thought I should come out to see if you had up and left without calling...or to see if I needed to help load boxes. It has been over three years, you know. Isn't it time you were moving?" My faithful, helpful brother had been there for every move up to that point...no matter where we lived or where we were going, he was always there to help.
    Well, this time we have been in one place for 12 years...in this house for 7 years. Even though I would love to move back home to family, we are still here in Parma, enjoying the friendships that we have made here. We have some great friends, I have children who have married here and are raising their families here.Change would be hard now.
    Change is coming though...it always does in the most least expectant ways.  Last month, my 3rd child got married! He announced "we are getting married in 2 weeks!" What a quick change that was! He is 24 year old and has met a beautiful young lady. I hope their life will be full of happiness and a lot of changing moments that leads them to wonderful years together. I envy their new beginnings! I love new adventures....I wonder what is coming next in my life?
    I know some people don't "do" changes well, but I say.....Embrace change! It brings personal growth, new experiences, and new friends!
    Maybe the only change you need is to move the furniture around! That is my solution when life gets a little stale...change the furniture, the wall decorations, and buy something new to display. It doesn't have to be an expensive change....go to a thrift shop find a vase, a picture, a new end table. Simple things can bring that touch of newness...and lift your spirits! 
    Have a happy fall...its coming! The seasons are changing...again. Change is constant. Enjoy the moment!