The Vanishing Sculptor - A Book Review

Do you like Dragons? Are you intrigued by wizards? Do you like popping situations with dry humor? Then you would probably enjoy "The Vanishing Sculptor" by Donita K. Paul.

I was most interested in the book, because Dot loves dragons and wants to write stories with them herself. I really liked the minor dragons in the book. They had great personalities and were new to my knowledge of dragons. But, this book is not all about dragons. I would probably need to read the authors' Dragon Keeper Chronicles to learn more about the winged creatures.

This book is an interesting story about a young emerlindian woman, Tipper. Her father, an excellent sculptor, disappeared many years ago. Her mother seems mentally unstable, and Tipper has taken charge of the family's estate. As she needs funds, she is forced to sell what she can in the house, and the grounds. Through the aid of her protector, Beccaroon, a giant parrot, she sold a number of her father's sculptures.

One day she is shocked to learn her father is still alive, and he has been traveling through a gateway that ends in her mother's closet. He has been trying to get back permanently, but was still figuring it out. Because of three missing statues that Tipper sold, the gateway has become extremely unstable. Her father is caught in the middle of it, and needs the statues reunited to free himself.

Tipper, Beccaroon, her father's two companions - Bealomondore and Wizard Fenworth, and her father, Verrin Schope, set out to recover the lost sculptures. They meet the dragon keeper, Prince Jayrus, who eventually allows them to ride the major dragons to speed their quest.

Verrin Schope keeps talking about someone he met while gone. Wulder has many famous sayings and principles, and he has changed the way Verrin views his role in his world.

If you are a realist, you need to set your preconcieved ideas aside about how things should be run in this story. This is a story for a great imagination. For someone who loves dragons, wizards, and interesting happenings popping up here and there.

The ending is interesting and has a twist to it.

Summary : Donita K. Paul’s 250,000-plus-selling DragonKeeper Chronicles series has attracted a wide spectrum of dedicated fans–and they’re sure to fall in love with the new characters and adventures in her latest superbly crafted fiction novel for all ages. It’s a mind-boggling fantasy that inhabits the same world as the DragonKeeper Chronicles, but in a different country and an earlier time, where the people know little of Wulder and nothing of Paladin.
In The Vanishing Sculptor, readers will meet Tipper, a young emerlindian who’s responsible for the upkeep of her family’s estate during her sculptor father’s absence. Tipper soon discovers that her actions have unbalanced the whole foundation of her world, and she must act quickly to undo the calamitous threat. But how can she save her father and her world on her own? The task is too huge for one person, so she gathers the help of some unlikely companions–including the nearly five-foot tall parrot Beccaroon–and eventually witnesses the loving care and miraculous resources of Wulder. Through Tipper’s breathtaking story, readers will discover the beauty of knowing and serving God.

Author Bio: : Donita K. Paul is a retired teacher and author of numerous novellas, short stories, and eight novels, including the best-selling DragonKeeper Chronicles, a series which has sold more than a quarter million books to date. The winner of multiple awards, she lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she spends time mentoring and encouraging young writers. Visit her online at donitakpaul.com.

Want your own copy? Comment below about dragons. Darling will pick a winner after July 4th.
Or you can purchase a copy at:

RandomHouse.com:

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781400073399&ref=externallink_wbm_thevanishingsculptor_aeb_0427_01

This week has flown by! I can't believe how fast summer is going.
I reached one of my summer goals!! I'm jogging three miles a day, 5x a week. I definitely have more energy and feel more in shape. Wish that translated into a different size, but at this stage of my life, I'm feeling like - Oh, well...

Dot is back from her 2 weeks of camps. It is great to have her home, and to hear about the wonderful classes and sessions she attended. Definitely two camps I want every kid in the family to go to. As everyone is catching up with each others' news, our meal times have had interesting conversation. Fun!! :-) A little loud, but fun. :-)

Drum headed out for his week of boot camp called Encampment. Please pray for him. It is a tough week. We will pick him up next Saturday at his graduation. He'll be a little stiffer, stronger, thinner, and full of Yes, Sir's and No, Sir's, etc.

Dime got to go to Valleyfair with the youth group this past week. He had a blast!! Friends, entertainment, food, action!! What more could a boy want? He did lose his favorite Spiderman towel. "I didn't think anyone would steal it?! I mean, I had it under a bench, and we could see it when we came down. But really steal it?" Yeah, he's lived a sheltered life. I didn't send him out the door, or I would have balked at bringing the towel, because someone might steal it! I was sleeping in after a long night with Darling, who had an earache.

Deer had a couple fun days scrap booking with a friend. We've discovered how easy it is to order pictures through Coborn's. They had a great time working up pages. What a great summer project! The boys were gone a lot of the time, so they had the table to themselves, and took breaks to bike, visit an elderly neighbor, and make chocolate cake in a mug. Fun memories!!
She also got a bike from G&G K. She's been riding with me every morning when I jog. I love it!! Been working out great for some one on one time. She gets to talk all she wants with no one interrupting.

Duke got his contacts on Monday! He was excited, but frustrated with how hard it was to put them in. I've been helping him all week, but he is getting better. :-) They feel great! and look great!! He loves not having to take his glasses off when he dirt bikes. No more foggy winter glasses, and bent frames!

Dessert has been adjusting to life with glasses. He looks so cute!! I have to keep myself from smiling every time I look at him. :-) He got his first bent frames from Darling. He didn't like it one bit! I may want contacts for him, long before he gets them. He's been under the weather with a fever this weekend - which is why I'm home from church and taking time to blog. I pray he's better soon!

The boys went with Dh on a day dirt bike trip. A first for them, and a dream of Dh's. They had a number of struggles:

• finding the right place ("It is by a big farm." - that's a lot of farms and acreage to look at),
  
• right place but wrong section (think huge puddles! and going around them, then Dh stopping and getting off the bike to go back and help the youngest get around it and get back on his bike and then go start up his bike again -not easy- and get to the next mud hole. Whew!!),
  
• finally find the right spot (Only to have your thing-a-ma-jingy break so that now Dh has to adjust the amount of power by pulling on a wire with his right hand while driving. Definitely out of my league!)

They ended with Pizza Hut. They still all came home smiling and grateful for a fun trip with just the guys.

What did I do this week? Well, laundry. And then some more laundry. After that I did dishes. Then a little more laundry. I picked up kids. Dropped off kids. More laundry. More dishes. I went to ballet class - Yippeee!! More laundry. More dishes. Grocery shopping. Clothes shopping. Miscellaneous before Drum's trip shopping. More laundry. More dishes. My week in a nutshell. :-) Oh yeah, add in jogging, cooking, yard work, paperwork, and some reading. :-)

Happy Summering!!

Never the Bride - A Book Review

Cheryl Mackay and Rene Gutteridge have put together "a romantic comedy with a spiritual twist." "Never the Bride" combines the writing style of "Miss Match" and the mysterious host of "Dinner with a Perfect Stranger". It is a great combination and makes for an interesting development at the end of the book. I thought I knew who she should fall in love with, then I didn't know, and the end gave a thought-provoking conclusion.

"Jessie Stone has spent thirty-five years fantasizing about marriage proposals, wedding dresses, and falling in love. She’s been a bridesmaid eleven times, waved dozens of couples off to sunny honeymoons, and shopped in more department stores for half-price fondue pots than she cares to remember.

But shopping in the love-of-her-life department hasn't been quite as productive. The man she thought she would marry cheated on her. The crush she has on her best friend Blake is at very best…well, crushing. And speed dating has only churned out memorable horror stories.

So when God shows up one day, in the flesh, and becomes a walking, talking part of her life, Jessie is skeptical. What will it take to convince her that God has a better love story than one of the thousands she’s cooked up in her journals? Will she trust Him with her pen when it appears her dreams of being the bride are forever lost?

Never the Bride is what it means to lose control—and getting more than any woman could ever imagine."

One of the principles hinted at in this book, is that the woman should focus on God's goals for her life, and let God focus on the right time and right man for her husband. I'm not saying a woman shouldn't listen to God's promptings to put herself in a position to meet a man, but it certainly might have given Jessie less stress if her focus had been a little different. That stated, I do believe we are all human, and God deals with us where we are at. He loves variety and brings married couples together in such unique and fun ways. I love reading about them!!

Author Bios:

Cheryl McKay is the co-author (with Frank Peretti) of the Wild and Wacky, Totally True Bible Stories series, which has sold nearly 200,000 copies, and the screenwriter of the award-winning film The Ultimate Gift.

Rene Gutteridge has published thirteen novels including Ghost Writer, My Life as a Doormat, the Boo Series, the Occupational Hazards Series, and the Storm Series. Together, McKay and Gutteridge are the authors of The Ultimate Gift, a novelization based on the feature film and popular book by the same title.

Would you like your own copy? Check out http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307444988 or post a comment below by June 22 for a chance to win this book.

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes - A Book Review

I really enjoyed reading "Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes" by Robin Jones Gunn. Pen pals for years, Summer and Noelle have yet to meet face to face. The unexpected abnormal medical test for Summer results in an uncharacteristic sudden trip to Holland to see her sisterchick, Noelle. Unsure of what her future holds, she wants to fulfill her dream of visiting her dear friend. The adventures and time they share in one short week are life-changing for both of them. The nuggets of truth interwoven among the enriching friendship of Summer and Noelle leave a lot to be pondered upon.

The book makes one want to call up a close friend and set up a date to get together again! It shows how God connects the friendships we share and ministers to us through each other.

I enjoyed the virtual tour in Holland as Summer describes the places they visited. I could sense the awe-inspiring beauty of the tulips and the peaceful ordered simplicity of the Dutch homes. The trips to Corrie ten Boom's home and the colorful museums were jewels in ring around the friendship of the two bosom friends. Their laughter at their funny mishaps, and tears at their close moments make this a great story to share with a friend.

I loved the fact that these friends were up in years, but not elderly. They both had close husbands and enjoyed their older children. They were different, and they were alike. I felt like I was reading a true story, not a fictionalized one.

I'm sorry to say, I don't have a give-away copy, but if you would like to purchase this book, please visit:

https://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601420091&ref=externallink_mlt_sisterchicksinwoodenshoes_sec_0423_01

Author Bio: Robin Jones Gunn is the best-selling and award-winning author of over seventy books, including the Glenbrooke, Christy Miller, Sierra Jensen, Katie Weldon, and Christy and Todd: The College Years teen series. The Sisterchicks® series has sold more than 300,000 units, bringing her total sales to more than 3.5 million books worldwide. A Christy Award winner, Robin is a popular speaker, both at home and abroad, and is frequently interviewed on radio and on television. www.robingunn.com www.sisterchicks.com

A great update: Jeannie is hosting a drawing for this book. So, if you are interested in your own copy, visit her site and comment by June 30.

A Parade!!

Thursday night was our local parade. The 4 boys went with my folks to walk for my Mom in the parade. Dh took Deer and Darling to a friend's house for a pre-parade picnic. (I was at ballet class.) They had a fun time visiting, and then they joined the crew on the sides of the streets to watch the parade.











Darling had a blast!!



















She got a quick hug from Papa during the parade.















She even got to spend time with her friend, Kassie!!
















Two of the princesses are from our church. Aren't they beautiful!!

An Evening on the Town

After leaving the kiddos with Dh, I headed to my brother's place. I changed there, my Dad arrived, and Patrick gave us the grand tour. They had a major hailstorm there last summer, so it was fun to see the new siding and yard work he's done. Looks fantastic!! They had also added a bedroom in the finished part of the basement so that teenage Nick wouldn't have to room with 3 yr old brother Kyle. My brother and sister-in-law have a beautiful home!!

Patrick was taking my Dad out for supper for Father's Day, and had invited me along. I was excited to get to go share a fun experience with them. He took us to a unique restaurant in the city called, Fogo De Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse.

We had white linen tablecloths and napkins, fancy silverware, elegant glassware, and attentive waiters. I felt like I should have a ball gown on. There is no ordering except for drinks and dessert, so after ordering drinks we went to the salad bar. Wow!! It was a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. I wished for my camera so I could take pictures to show the kids at home, but I never would have anyway, because it was not the kind of place that one stood to take pictures of the salad bar. :-) They sliced pineapple into super fine rings, and placed them on ice under one dish, then decorated it with shaped peppers and cucumbers. Each dish had a different decoration around it. We ate fresh romaine salads with an assortment of palm hearts, cucumbers, peppers, apple salad, cheeses, salmon, bread, etc.

The waiter explained that after the salad bar, we were to turn a little card over that was by our plates. One side was red, the other green. When it was green, waiters would come to our table with different skewers of cooked meat. There was top sirloin, bottom sirloin, house sirloin, lamb chops, and bacon-wrapped chicken to name a few. The waiters wore elegant Brazilian outfits. They would offer the meat, and if we said yes, they would cut off a portion for our plates. Wow!! The meat was delicious!! incredible!! It was just so fun. They also put small dishes of mashed potatoes, plantain, and fried cornbread on the table, which the waiters kept full. Every so often they would offer us another clean plate. When I came back to my table once, a waiter was handy and he quickly pulled my seat back and pushed it in. My favorite meat was the bacon-wrapped chicken - so much flavor!!

We enjoyed the evening with fine foods and visiting. It was fun to hear some stories from my Dad that I hadn't heard before. Patrick and Dad shared some memories of different trips they have done. We talked about Dad's different interests, and it was fun to hear things he really enjoys. I was impressed how Patrick picked a gift so true to my Dad's interests and enjoyment.

We ended the meal with a shared slice of fine cheesecake decorated with fresh strawberries and sauce. They had mints and mementos to pick up on the way out. We stepped outside and waited for the car, while enjoying the view of downtown. We had a peaceful ride back to my brother's house, where I headed right out to get back home, before I turned into a pumpkin. :-)

So that was our evening on the town.
What a great memory at Fogo De Chao!!

Glasses?!

Wednesday, I took Duke & Dessert to get their eyes checked. I just wanted to see if they have eye convergence problems like their brothers. Well, I was shocked to find out that Dessert is almost as far sighted as his brother! Poor kid!

The Dr. asked if he hated coloring. Just the night before Dessert had told me that he hated coloring at VBS. The Dr. said it would just be a blurry picture to him, so he would probably hate coloring. And I think he just has attitude problems!

Both boys had their eyes dilated at the exam, so they got nifty sunglasses to wear. :-) They don't check for convergence issues until their eyesight is 20/20. So, the next day we went to Wal-Mart and picked out glasses for Dessert. Duke has some changes as well, and will be getting contacts next Monday.

After the eye appt., we met Dh and Darling at a bridge in town to transfer the boys to his car. I was on my way to an evening out with my Dad and brother. But that's another story... :-)

Last week was fun and busy.
Dot found out she'll be getting her braces off within the next couple of months! She's hoping for July, but figuring they will stretch it out until August. It can seem never ending when you have braces on, but over so quick after they are off. Drum is having his prep work for braces done. We have a consult on Thursday. One kid done, next one steps up. :-)

The boys had a fun CAP night Monday and saw Dime's best friend promote. Friday Drum, Dime, and Dime's friend went flying! One of the great perks of CAP!! They each had an hour's turn in the copilot's seat.

The kids had an end of the year concert on Wed. night for youth group.

They got up early to go help Dh at church on Thursday morning. They painted and did misc. projects to help get the church ready for VBS this week.

Friday night we had impromptu supper guests, how fun!, and then went together to Hay Barn Gospel. Johnny Cash's youngest sister, Joanne, and her husband spoke. They had country gospel music. It was fun, but COLD!! I ended up needing to leave a little early with some of the kids. Thankfully, Darling fell asleep snuggled in my arms, so she didn't get too cold.

Saturday, late afternoon, Drum and Dime got called for a mission with CAP to locate an ELT. I took them to town and made two stops to get windpants and a jack knife for Dot's trip.

Later, Dot, Dh, & I went ballroom dancing. It was Awesome!! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and hope to go again with more of our crew. Drum and Dime got home about midnight.
Darling struggled with a fever most of Saturday night and Sunday, so she and I didn't go to church. I did have to be gone for an hour or so in the morning. Grandma W came to watch Darling, while I took Dot to meet her group for Leadership Quest. She will be gone for a week. Please pray for her, if you think of her this week. It is a challenging adventure up North, and they sure have a cold week for it. I'm so proud of her for going, and so miss her being around at home.

Sunday was quiet in the afternoon and spent mostly holding Darling and watching "I Love Lucy" reruns. She's feeling so much better today, but not good enough to go to VBS. The rest of the kids went. Drum, Dime, and Deer are working at it. Duke and Dessert are attending. I'm sure they are having a blast. The church was decorated so cool for this week. Deer is helping with song leading, Dime is helping with games, and Drum is helping with story time. It will be fun to hear how their first day went.

Fun with Friends!

A week ago Saturday, we had a busy day. Dime had a couple friends over, and Dot was babysitting and brought the 4 kids over. They had a great time playing. There were a total of 13 kids! They played so well together. Here they are around the skateboard ramps. Even Darling wanted to get in on the action!

Perky and Pearl

Darling has so enjoyed the bunnies. I just had to post a few pictures of her with them. Yesterday, we found out the Perky died. We are not sure why. Pearl is fine. They had food, water, and hay. No reason found to why he should have passed on. Dessert really liked Perky and cried and cried. Perky was Darling's favorite bunny, and she has asked about him a number of times. We tell her Perky died, but I'm not sure what she all understands. Pearl looks so alone in her big hutch. Perky is the one with the black nose.

Memorial Day at the Cabin

We had a fantastic time at my parent's cabin for Memorial Day weekend! It is our offical start of the summer. My folks, my sister-in-law and their kiddos, and our family were there. Everyone enjoyed their particular ideas of a fun time. Here is my Dh's fun. He carved a bear out of a tree log!! I thought he did a great job for his first! Dessert and Cousin Nick are standing next to it. I can't find my pictures of Dh with his chainsaw by it. (Must be on Dot's camera.)

Dot enjoyed some reading time.

The crazy kids in the water!
This is Dessert.

Deer and Duke. This water is the temp of your refrigerated drinking water!! Brrr!!!

Cousin Lily and Darling had a great time in the sand.
Lily was in and out of the water, and even Darling had a blast splashing her own face and running along the edge. They must have rubber skin.

Look at Darling bounce!! :-) She and Cousin Kyle had such a blast together!! They played so well all weekend.

Now it's Kyle's turn to go up!

Heading out on the pontoon:

Thumbs up for fishing! (Only Papa caught a BIG one. A 2 inch sunny. They decided not to keep it. :-)

What a great Big Brother!!

Gotta do the nails! Aren't her tootsies sweet!

Even my Dear Husband got in the water!
He's crazy!!

Darling's view while she bounces.

Memorial Day we woke up to Grandma's Famous Crepes!!
What a way to wake up!

Lots of whip cream!

They disappear fast!

Happy, Happy!!

Not just crepes, but sausage and strawberries!

Gma K working her magic.

We also got carmel rolls that morning. Anyone drooling yet?

Cousin Lily doing her special roll.

Where was Dot? You might ask?
Under the blankets, fast asleep!

Cousin Lily decided to teach school to Cousin Kyle and Darling. She did a great job and even sent a note home to the parents!

This says: Emmy was really good today. She was really good today, because she just was today.
I thought she did a great job for a 6 year old!!

We had fun doing hair! Lots of curlers and updoos.

Here is another one of Dh's projects at the cabin. - He worked on taking the old paint off his motorcycle gas tank. He will be repainting it and his fenders to match.

Just before heading home, we ate breakfast out!
Everyone was excited.


Dot got impatient waiting for the food! No, Dot, No! Don't eat on that!

Nothing like a man-sized breakfast.

Dime had an omelet with hashbrowns and toast.

So sad his plate is empty. But realistically he couldn't have eaten another drop.

What great memories!!
Horray for Weekends at the Cabin!!!!!!!