I'm a cereal person. I love just about any kind of cereal, especially granola. But buying it in a store can be expensive, plus all the preservatives and other stuff I can't pronounce that they put in it. Here's a simple granola recipe from Country Lane Cooking that I'm going to try out this week. If you make it, let me know how it turns out. 'Til next time, Kathleen

They have a sign outside the veteran's nursing home where my father lived the last year of his life. It says, "Here you see the price of freedom." Inside there were many men and women who suffered the often lifelong signs of their service. My dad and his twin brother served in the U.S. Navy. They enlisted right after Pearl Harbor after they graduated from high school (weren't allowed to before). Dad was injured in a training flight and suffered pain and many surgeries for his injuries. When Dad became terminally ill we were so grateful that he could be in this nursing home where the staff really cared for these men and women who'd served in the military. 

A number of my university students volunteer at this nursing home. Some of them have served in the military and they are using their GI bill to pay for their college education. Others are in training programs for various branches of the military. Our university took a large hit when the Iraq war began. Many times when I drove onto the campus the flag was at half mast in honor of a former student who was killed in the war. With so many graduates serving in the military all over the world I knew the day would arrive when one of my former students would be killed. 

And then it happened. This particular student was a serious, dedicated young man but he liked to play as hard as he studied and worked. His class came right after lunch -- their only break after early exercise and early back-to-back classes. For some it would be the last class. So he liked to lead the joking around after we'd accomplished much of the class objectives. We had thin walls in that building and I'd admonish students that we couldn't be heard to be having such fun or someone would complain we'd disturbed them. It did no good. He always continued although he was respectful as can be. His good nature was just so infectious. I remember his hard work and his determination to enjoy his life with some fun in equal measure. 

His memorial service on campus was one of the most moving experiences I have ever had. Students turned out for it -- many of them in training to serve all branches of the military, not just the one he  was in. They didn't flinch from showing their affection and respect no matter how painful it was for them. Many packets of flag decorated tissues were passed out that day. Faculty wept along with the students. One advisor who liked to keep a drawerful of snacks in her office was inconsolable. My student had given another soldier in training a medal to encourage him in his physical training. This student honored his memory by returning the medal to the memorial table and dropping to the ground to do several pushups. I cried along with the advisor when that happened. 

So many men and women have sacrificed to give us religious freedom. I hope that we can all find some way to honor them not just today but every day. 

Would love to hear about someone you know who served or is serving.

Blessings,

Barbara
PS: the winners of my Mother's Day autographed book contest are Sandra Selle and Kristie D.   

My mother's nursing home case manager wished me a Happy Mother's Day the other day. She knew I'm a mom because there are photos of my grown children in Mom's room but I didn't know if she has any children so I asked. She said she didn't have kids -- just cats. Well, I think if you're a pet parent you should get to be told "Happy Mother's Day" and I told her so. But even if you don't have children or pets, if you're a woman you probably mother those around you. It's built into us as women.

There have been a lot of messages about mothers on Facebook this week. My daughter posted a note her five year old son wrote her in which he said he loved her, "bekos you are the best mom." Those kind of sweet notes were my favorite Mother's day gifts when my children were little... I'm not sure that anything I've received since they've grown up have ever been as good. Well, the Nook I got last year was pretty nice but I still love those sweet notes and handmade cards from Mother's Day long ago.   

I hope that you get to take it easy and enjoy your day today. You deserve it.  

Blessings,

Barbara 

P.S. Write a comment about something nice you did for your mom (as a child or adult) to enter my contest to win an autographed copy of Her Restless Heart, first book in the Stitches in Time series.

I love flowers. Unfortunately, they don't love me back. I posted a couple weeks ago on my FB page about my plan to get houseplants. So far I've got two african violets (one white, one purple) and a croton. I can't tell how they're doing, they kinda look the same as they did when I brought them home. They've been alive for nearly two weeks, so that's progress. Usually I kill them after a few days. 

Everyone needs a vacation. My husband and I are going to Holmes County in June for our anniversary/vacation. We'll be staying at The Barn Inn, which is a lovely bed and breakfast that we've enjoyed in the past. When we go to Holmes, our favorite thing to do is drive around. I just hope gas prices keep dropping until then! We love to take the back roads, roll the windows down, and take in the peaceful countryside. Of course we love to eat, but that's a given. We're leaving computers, tablets, everything but the cell phones behind-and we're only bringing the phones in case of emergency.

Good Morning and Happy Monday!

This past weekend, I traveled with fellow author Kelly Long and our editor Natalie Hanemann to Lancaster County.  We stayed at my favorite B&B there -- Beilers Bed and Breakfast in Paradise.  And it was great to reconnect with innkeeper and dear friend Barbie Beiler and also some of my Amish friends. 

We had a fantastic time...AND...we ate way too much!  Go figure, lol!!  Natalie had her first buggy ride, and we visited the home where Amish worship was to be held on Sunday.  It was great to see the backless benches and setup.  We took some Amish friends to Dienners Restaurant on Friday night, then Saturday night we attended an Amish supper.  Lots of shopping, brainstorming on future books, and just fun, fun, fun!




Barbie, Beth, Kelly, and Natalie.  And Barbie's cute little dog, Macie.

If you travel to Paradise in Lancaster County, consider a stay at Beilers B&B.  Barbie grew up 'Beachy Amish' and she's happy to talk to you about the Amish and send you on her "Off the Beaten Path" tour of authentic Amish shops and bakeries.  

And Barbie's breakfasts in the mornings are the best I've ever had!  Especially the homemade yogurt and granola!


















Some of you might have seen this pic on FB.  Here's something you don't see everyday!  This is my friend Christ (pronounced like Chris, plus the T) reading Need You Now.  We walked in to tell them goodbye on Sunday, and he was 10 pages into my book. 

The 'rule' about not taking pictures is a bit "Old School."  Some Amish still prefer not to have their pics taken based on biblical reference, but most (including Christ) will tell you that it is mostly an invasion of privacy to have a stranger putting a camera in your face.  He was happy to have me take this picture.  He is a witty, fun guy!

I hope he enjoys this contemporary marriage story based in Texas!














This is the wagon they use to haul around the backless benches, chairs, and dishes for worship service. 




















Here is what the inside of the wagon looks like. 

There are even rolls of outdoor carpet to use when worship service is held in a barn.
















Here we are in Intercourse on our way to a roadside stand.  No trip to Paradise would be complete without visiting the place that serves the best pretzels, lemonade, and root beer on the planet.

Uh...yes...quite a bit of shopping included during our travels too.   

I have some cookbooks and other Amish items I'll be giving away in the future. 



















One of the highlights of our trip was being invited to attend an 'Old Book Auction'.  HEAVEN for two authors and their editor!  I'm pretty sure this fellow knew we were taking pictures, and I'm pretty sure he didn't care since we were buying books, lol.  It was a benefit for the Gordonville Fire Department. 

I wish you could have seen this little man jumping up in the air and yelling every time someone bid.  There were a few of us 'Englisch' there, but mostly Amish folks.  They were very welcoming!

















A grand time was had by all...and an Amish friend sent us home with some fabulous granola!  As always, I can't wait to go back!

Hope you all have a blessed week!  xo
Beth

Today's post is all about you, our readers. Thank you for your support, your kind emails and messages, for liking our facebook pages and following our tweets, for spreading the word about your favorite authors and the stories you love. I believe the relationship between writer and reader is symbiotic and I hope to have enriched your lives half as much as you've enriched mine. Hugs to you all! 

 




Tonight at 8 p.m. (Central Time), my publisher will be giving away 10 paperback copies of NEED YOU NOW and 100 ebook downloads. 

This will be a LIVE Facebook Chat, and we will be discussing the book.  It will be an opportunity for you to ask me questions, and also a chance to meet others on my FB Readers Page.   And, of course...a chance to win a copy of the book!

To check it out and RSVP -- visit Fans of Beth Wiseman on FB, Events.

Hope to "See" lots of you tonight! 





Peace and blessings for a great week! 
Beth

Sometimes life can get super busy and things just get forgotten. 

I work hard at being organized with lists and computer reminders and all that but sometimes ... well ... things just slip from my memory and my fingers. The other day as I left the house and drove down my street I saw a truck from my cable company drive past me. I glanced in the rear view mirror I thought it turned into my drive.  It had been a particularly busy month and I immediately wondered if I'd paid my cable bill. Since I also have high speed Internet and a land line (phone) I knew I had to turn around and see if I needed to give the cable guy a good excuse ... and a check. It turned out he hadn't turned into my drive and while I hadn't yet paid the bill the due date was several days away. 

Well, what slipped past me recently was naming winners in a recent AmishHearts contest. I asked readers to tell me about something they had done that was creative...Winners are: Carol E. Quinn, Karen         , Donna Krueger, Susan and Julie K.      

Congratulations to the winners: