Friday, April 25, 2014

For Every Season by Cindy Woodsmall - a book review


For Every Season  by Cindy Woodsmall

 

I have to preface this book review by saying that Cindy Woodsmall is one of my favorite authors.  I love that she writes about what she personally know about the Amish people.  I love the historical background she includes in her books and how she explains their doctrinal and cultural beliefs in a fictional setting.

 

However, I had a really hard time getting into this book.  There is a section in the front called ”the story so far”  that gives a brief synopsis of the plot line.  Even with that, I didn’t feel it gave the reader enough background to pick the story up at the start of this book.  I actually read the previous one and I still had trouble following it.  Of course, all of this is my personal opinion and is likely based on my short attention span.  I like a book to grab me right away.

 

This is from the publisher’s website:

“Working hard to develop a new Amish community outside of Unity, Maine, Rhoda Byler is fully committed to rehabilitating an orchard with business partner Samuel King. But an impulsive decision has created an unexpected strain in her relationship with her beau, Samuel’s brother, Jacob, threatening plans for the orchard. Amidst mounting tension in matters of the heart and business, Rhoda finds that this fledging settlement feels like the home she has always longed for, and she begins to embrace the God-given, heightened intuition that has always felt like a burden to her. She longs for Jacob to fully be free of his past, so they can work towards the future together.

But as Rhoda uses her gift to unpack an old secret with her Englisch neighbors, it is not her beau but an unlikely ally that cheers her on. With the orchard on shaky ground and Jacob’s plans in question, Rhoda is determined to see things through to harvest. But can she trust her insight to direct her path in matters of the heart?”

There are some really yummy sounding recipes at the end of the book and a glossary of Amish terms which is very helpful.  There is also a list of characters which I found essential in trying to keep everyone straight.

Like I said, this is only my opinion based on my likes. You may find you really like this book.  I hope you give it a try and form your own opinion.  Go HERE to read an excerpt.

You can use the Amazon search box on the right side of this page to order it and when you do you help me out a little. 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Press through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
 

Wednesday, April 02, 2014

Wonderful, worthwhile inconveniences

This week while my daughter was visiting me for the evening, she found something on the internet that made her chuckle.  As she was reading me excerpts of what she found, I was taken back to when my 5 children were babies.  What she was reading was a list of things that mothers of babies and toddlers have to look forward to when their children are a little older. I am finding, to a certain extent, they apply to me once again.  I thought as she was reading them, I can add to that list, both from memory AND from my current circumstances.  I have the wonderful pleasure of babysitting for my 2 year old and 2 month old grandbabies....and I love it!  But it has reminded me of those long ago days...all those wonderful, worthwhile inconveniences  So, here's the list I came up with. 

Things a new mother (or babysitting gramma) have to look forward to:

  1. Sleeping all night (OK, my grandchildren go home at night so this doesn't really apply to me)
  2. Taking a shower when you need want to instead of when you can fit it in.
  3. Using the bathroom in private.....with the door closed.
  4. Drinking a full cup of coffee-----hot!
  5. Eating your dinner off your own plate instead of finishing what your child doesn't finish off theirs
  6. Watching something on TV other than Veggie Tales (I have to say though, my husband and I get a kick out of them)
  7. Speaking in full sentences
  8. Wearing a hairstyle that doesn't involve a headband or 'messy bun" (Goes along with #2)
  9. When your wardrobe consists fo something other than t-shirts and yoga pants.
  10. Completing a telephone call
  11. Smelling like eau de perfume instead of eau de spit-up
  12. Standing in the grocery line without swaying, rocking or bouncing
  13. Not having to hurdle child gates
  14. Doing things with both hands......at the same time
  15. Having copies of home decorating magazines on your coffee table instead of Winnie the Pooh
  16. Having a song stuck in your head other than "Clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere...."
  17. Walking out to your car like a human being instead of a pack mule (Diaper bag, purse, car seat, baby,etc)
  18. When the attributes of the contents of a diaper are not the major topic of conversation
  19. When grocery shopping becomes a chore once again instead of 'mommy's day out'
  20. When you can once again use your snow shovel for the white stuff instead of shoveling toys.

Does any of this sound familiar to you new moms (or 'old' grand-moms) ?
Of course you also have lots of hugs and kisses and "I love you's" to look forward to.  Believe me....those will make up for all the little inconveniences !




I'll risk repeating myself and say how much I LOVE being able to spend time with my grandchildren....ALL of them.  What a blessing it is to get to watch them learn and grow.  One thing that struck me as I was writing this, was how fortunate we are to have modern technology, so we can email, instant message, skype, etc.  It is so much easier to keep in touch with them even though they aren't close by.
I'd love to hear what things you come up with to add to the list.
I'm linked up here:
 

 
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