Sounds and Sights of the Seasons

Yesterday when I was out in the yard, I happened upon this fellow.  Unfortunately, he was dead but still intact and I wondered about him.  Was it the heat?  We are still having days in the high 90's but there is a change in the air; the evenings and mornings are cooler and some of the Locust trees in our development have turned  a brilliant yellow.  This year has been different all over the country; we haven't had the number of grasshoppers we normally get, mosquitoes have been less as well(thankfully since I get horrific allergic reactions to bites), but one thing we are already hearing is the cicadas.  I had never heard of these before we moved here but old wives tales state that when you hear them, you've got six weeks til the first frost.  Oh my, we've been hearing them for several weeks now.  I can't say that I am wanting to stall summer; although I love it, I also love autumn.  Autumn is a time for candles, sweatshirts, quilts and sewing more quilts, reading and not getting up so very early to beat the heat.  We have many family birthdays in the fall and our new little grandson will be born mid-Sept., so there are lots of parties.  This year my brother and sister of my heart will be out for the big Stanford-Boulder game, which we will be attending with them. I always love it when they are here for a visit!  I am wondering if other areas of the country are seeing signs of fall already? 
Have a beautiful day!  Noreen

From My Library

              Nancy Mehl is a new author to me and I found Inescapable a good book.  It is an easy read and one you can pick up and get through within a day.  Set in a Mennonite community, a young woman finds herself leaving all that she has ever known.  Lizzie makes a life for herself and her daughter in a big city but finds her security there taken away by a stalker.  Returning home seems like her only choice and what she finds surprises her.  What once was a repressive and unfriendly environment now is a safe haven.  The residents welcome her and she feels more and more like this could be the answer to the peace she has been searching for.  Nancy weaves mystery gently into her story and a background into the Mennonite beliefs.  I would encourage you to get this book.  I look forward to reading more of Nancy’s books.   I did not receive any payment for this review. 

Mischief

Hunter, where are you?  What did you get into to?
Mom, I don't know what you are talking about.  Even though I love to shred Kleenex, I couldn't have done this; I know how you tell me to leave it whenever I go near a box.  Seriously, you can't possibly think I did this mom; really would I do something like this?
It had to have been done by someone else; hum, you say there is no one else home but you and me.  Humm.

Saturday giggles to you friends.
Noreen & the mischief maker

A New Gold Medal

Yesterday Hunter received a Gold Medal in Sticks, or carrying sticks and today I am pleased to announce he received another Gold Medal in Marathon Chewing.  You can stop by and see the other contestants at our friends, Murphy and Stanley's place  http://murphyandstanley.blogspot.com

Have a wonderful weekend friends!
Noreen and Hunter

Full Disclosure, A Great Book

          I received an Advanced Reader's Edition of Dee Henderson's new book from Bethany House.  I    have not received any payment for this review or in any way received any compensation. This book is not yet out in bookstores but will be soon. If you haven't read any of Dee's books before, it will not impact you in  a negative way. I have been a fan of Dee Henderson since her first books hit the press years ago.  Below is my review of her latest work; I would like to say I can highly recommend this book.  Although it has been five years since she wrote a new book, I felt like I was getting caught up with a family member again.  Full Disclosure is suspenseful and intriguing, woven with twists and turns as well as tying in her past characters.  There are two new characters we meet and get to know, Paul and Ann; Dee has a way of weaving a plot like a master story teller, which indeed she is.  This story is relevant and you find yourself wondering where each twist is going.  Her faith comes across loud and clear and shows us again that regardless of what the situation is, Christ is there to help us get through. With each book comes a greater story and I hope this will be the first of many new books. I look forward to more of her writings. I would also encourage you to stop by your library or bookstore and pick up one of her other books; either the O'Malley series or Men of Valor but if you have never read any of Dee's books, don't let that stop you for picking this one up; again this is a must read!  For more info, you can check out the official site  http://fulldisclosurenovel.com/
            Blessings, Noreen

Wordless Wednesday

Estes Park makes my heart sing.  May your heart soar today.
Noreen

Tuesday Travels

Hi all~I can't believe it is already mid-afternoon and I'm just now sitting down to blog.  This morning Hunter and I joined our friends at the doggy park for some play/off leash time before our walk.  Thankfully, no other dogs were there so I didn't need to worry about Hunter being intimidated by big dogs.  Shortly afterward, hubby and I went to watch one set of grands at their swimming lessons; it was fun to see the strengths of different strokes with our two oldest grandsons.  We came home, got drinks, camera & lenses and Hunter and took off for the high places.  You know how it makes me heart soar to be up in the Rockies and today was no different.  I think hubby took me up there because he spent the last four days golfing and I made a comment about wanting some time with him.  Hunter has never been up there before and seemed to do fine; of course there were times when I had to strongly suggest "walk on" because there was so much pee-mail. Not only from other dogs, but I'm sure from deer, elk and maybe even bighorn sheep.  We walked the river path in town and then hit Safe*ay for lunch goodies which we ate along side the road in the Park.  Our pup is tired out now, he is sleeping soundly on the couch next to hubby.
Tonight we'll be watching more Olympics and cheering on our team.  I also have a couple of other favorite teams-Ireland and South Africa, because I have two good friends that are from this country.
Hope you are having a good week so far; it is hard to believe tomorrow ushers in August-oh my!
Hugs, Noreen & one tired Hunter