Coffee

Since it's raining now but supposed to be dry later today, I'm postponing my morning run, an afternoon run might be a nice change of pace. So, I would like to take a moment to say ~I~LOVE~COFFEE~ There was a time many years ago that I thought I need to give up coffee and so I did, I quit drinking coffee. It was hard, I really like coffee, but still, I gave it up. Sometime later a close friend passed away. The next morning someone asked me if I wanted some coffee. Without giving it much thought I said yes, I would like some. As I sat on the deck drinking my coffee I realized I really really really like coffee. I enjoy the early morning solitude of that first cup before anyone else is awake. I enjoy it's steamy aromatic warmth after a run. It's my "comfort food" on a chilly winter night. So I'm on the deck, flooded with emotions, drinking that amazing cup of coffee and I realize once again that life is so short, so very,very short. We should cherish every single moment we are given in this life for the next one might not happen. Praise God for giving you these moments. Don't let him down by not cherishing them. Life is not always sunshine and roses, cherish it anyway. Do the small things and the big things, live every moment to the fullest. Smile.
I'm going to finish this steamy, caramely, earthy cup of comfort coffee and then it's time to get ready for church.

It's a beautiful morning

There is life affirming beauty running in the fog. Right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot, one foot in front of the other, forward motion, inspirational music in my ears, more brown leaves are swirling on the ground. I am in tune with my body, feeling the gravel crunch under my every step. As I once again conquer the hill and start down the other side I become enveloped in the fog. Right foot, left foot, I feel the soft wetness that is fog cover my body. Sweat and fog, fog and sweat. As I emerge from it's foreboding velvetyness, I am treated to an explosion of color that is the new days sunrise. It's magnificent! As if there is a trumpeting angel on every ray of sunlight. "TaDa, TaDaaaaa (sound of the trumpet) Welcome to this beautiful day you have been given"

Change your day with one run.

3 miles done before 7 am. This morning was one of those mornings that I was tired, I did not want to get up and out the door, my legs are still sore...... But...... God has gifted me with this body and it is my responsibility to take care of it. As I head out the door it is chilly and dark. I really had to fight thru the first 8 minutes. I really wanted to go back home. Then I crested that steep gravel hill and I found my strong legs. Music in my ears, I looked towards the west and noticed that the moon was still pretty high in the sky. Running along the tree line I noticed just a very few scattered fallen leaves. As I came to the end of the tree line I looked to the east and felt so lucky to be breathing in the cool fresh air while the sun put on an amazing show of color as it peaked over the horizon. With all of this wonder before me, wanting to be in bed becomes a distant, crazy thought. Now, it's time for the rest of my day.

In book three of Mona Hodgson's `The Quilted Heart Series,we meet Caroline Milburn, a widow who's husband had gone missing after the war. Upon receiving news of her husband's death, Caroline finds herself settling into life as a young widow.
Caroline steps off a boat, back into Saint Charles, wondering if she could ever call this place home. A widow, living with her sister Jewell and her family, Caroline suddenly feels the pressures of no longer having a husband and a house to call her own. An opportunity arises to head west, and start a new life in California, she thinks this just might be her chance to start over herself. While her heart is torn, not wanting to leave her sister Jewell, and her quilting circle friends,Caroline decides to go ahead and attend the meeting for those going west. The meeting is led by Garrett Cowlishaw, a former confederate soldier from the war that killed her husband.
With hopes of rebuilding her life, Caroline decides to join those going West, until she is told that she will not be allowed to ride alone on the wagon train, Her dreams of a new life in California are crushed. Will Caroline let being a widow crush her dreams, or is she is going to see that the ripples of God's love are far bigger then even she could imagine, by trusting him to lead her life.
This final book in the series does not disappoint. It takes you back to a time when life was so much simpler than today.I would recommend putting this novella and the previous 2 in the series on your summer reading list. No smut, no dirt, just a nice relaxing read.
I received the Kindle version of the book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bending Toward the Sun by Mona Dodson, a review

Emilie Heinrich works at her fathers general store. She's attending classes at the Lindenwood College at her fathers urging. She still finds time to join the Thursday quilting group, at the Brandenburg farm. She's happy for her friend Maren who has found love and will be getting married soon. But that leaves Emilie to wonder if there is love in her future, until Quaid McFarland reurns after the Civil War. When the two meet again there is a romantic attraction. This give Emilie hope for her future until her father voices his opinion. How will her fathers opinion affect her future? You'll have to read it to find out.

This is the second novella in the Quilted Hearts series.  What I loved about this book was the strong family values, christian values, and support of friends. As in the first novella in the series, I love the setting of this book and that it lets feel like you are living in simpler times.

I would recommend putting this novella on your summer reading list. No smut, no dirt, just a nice relaxing read.

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

So, what is "notebooking" anyway?