A Matter of Heart by Tracie Peterson

I wanted to share this book with you; it has been a long time since I read anything by Tracie Peterson.  I have always enjoyed Tracie's writing and her stories, but somehow just got stuck on other genres.  This was a wonderful story to get reintroduced to an excellent author. 
The story is set in Texas and revolves around a young woman name Jessica Atherton; born to a life of privilege.  Jessica had planned to marry a man she had known all her life, but when he married another, she thought she'd never find love again.  Two men enter Jessica's life, one is Harrison Gable who is a lawyer and rich.  Being the beautiful woman she is, he instantly begins to woe her; another man also is drawn to Jessica for her spunk and forthright personality. Austin Todd is a Texas Ranger who has lost everything he held dear and plans to never become involved with a woman.  Jessica is drawn to both men, for opposite reasons.  The characters are rich and developed; you can imagine yourself living in this area. 
I loved this story and will read more of Tracie's books in the future.  I would give it ten stars.
I was provided this book by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing for my honest review. I have not received any compensation. 

I would also like to offer this book to one of my followers; just leave me a comment letting me know you are interested and on Thursday, I'll draw a name. 
Noreen

Harvest Welcome

Happy Friday to you! Here in Colorado, the sky is grey and it rained all night.  It is a perfect fall day to stay inside. Yesterday, hubby and I went to our local hardware store to get something hubby needed and I saw the green and white pumpkins out front.  Although I have had the big plastic pumpkin out for over a week, I wanted to add to it.  I loved the white "ghost" pumpkin, but have to say they are so very expensive.  The mum is my newest one this season; I love the color and it will be planted in the front bed when it is done blooming.
Today, we have two granddaughters this morning while mom takes others to the youth clinic for Well Checks.  Then this afternoon, our other daughter is having a girls tea party(hubby will have the two oldest grandsons during the time).  Tonight is the movie night for the ladies group; everything is ready  except I still need to vacuum.  It could be a very small intimate group of six or could be double that.
I love cold days, they make staying inside so inviting.  Tomorrow I have a DoTerra party to attend; in case you aren't familiar with this, it is a company that sells Essential Oils.  I've never been to one of their parties before, but can testify to the benefits of several of their oils.  On our flight to the islands last April, I sat next to a gal who had some and had to use one due to motion sickness.  Simply applying a drop of the oil to her skin, so she could smell it, helped ward of this malady.  I have also had friends use the methol oil to help with coughs.  It shall be interesting to listen to the benefits and see the prices.
I hope you have a fantastic day!
Blessings,
Noreen
 

Happy Thursday friends, So you know how obsessed I am, at this time of year, finding color in the trees around us. Yesterday on the first of my two walks, I found these Autumn Blaze maples displaying their bright red leaves. Nothing thrills me more than the beauty of this season. Hunter was fine when we got home, but during our second walk, he was tuckered out. Poor boy!!

We are having cool, cloudy days with rain in the forecast; I will have plenty to do inside. Do you have a variety of colors in your trees in the fall, or mainly one color-yellow, red or just brown. I do wish we had more purples. I hope you have a great day!
Noreen

Outdoor Wednesday

Greetings Friends,  I hope this day finds you content and savoring each moment.  I've already been out walking with Hunter-almost 2.5 miles and now am home; however Hunter and I are also going to walk with our neighbor and her Bichon.  This Friday night, I am hosting a Girls Movie Night with the ladies from my church, so hubby and I have already rearranged the furniture so we have more seating.  The movie is Mom's Night Out and it is supposed to be a riot. 
This afternoon I will be watching grands and also quilting.
I hope you have a great day.
Noreen

Pumpkin Treats

Happy Tuesday to you! While I did spend yesterday afternoon baking treats for bible study today, I am sharing about Hunter's October samples that arrived yesterday. I did bathe him yesterday, but didn't spend a long time brushing him out-so that is why he looks a bit scruffy. Here he is investigating the bag of treats in the box; some of his friends go crazy when they get their packages in the mail, but Hunter just tries to get the scent and sometimes pull the bag out.

These treats are so cute-remind me of children's cookies.

He's wondering if Mr. Chewy is leaving something else at our door.
Here is info on Grandma Lucy's Organic Pumpkin Treats:

"Grandma Lucy’s organic dog treats are not made in a factory but baked in a bakery by people who love their pets. Since 1999, Grandma Lucy’s has taken great pride in making wholesome, natural and delicious pet treats. Your dog will love the great taste of these Organic Oven Baked Dog Treats, but what you will love most is the fact that they are made with organic, human-quality ingredients for dogs. The treats are so tasty, your dog will beg for more. Grandma Lucy’s Organic Oven Baked Dog Treats ~ an organic treat you will feel good about giving your pet."

Key Benefits

• Suitable for all life stages
• 100% USDA Organic, USA originated ingredients
• Oven baked
• Human-grade ingredients
• No by-products, artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors
• Certified kosher
• Made in the USA!

Because pumpkin is so good for our pups, I was really hoping that Hunter would love these.  The drawback is that they are very hard cookies and he reacted the way I thought he might-he tasted one and that was it.  In fact, to be honest, I almost didn't request them this month because of that fact.  I love everything about Grandma Lucy's, especially that this is a California based company.  I know many of our friends are going to be getting doggy gift bags with these goodies.
We received these treats free from Mr. Chewy's blogger review program, for our honest review.  Mr. Chewy is a wonderful company and the people who head up this program are so incredibly nice.  If you haven't visited this company, please go check them out, they have a variety of products for dogs and cats.
You can find them here  www.chewy.com 

I hope you have a fabulous day! 
Noreen & Hunter

Family History

Happy Monday to you! I hope you had a joy filled weekend, enjoying this new season. Our weather has been spectacular, but thankfully not in the 90's like most of Northern California. We ventured to our new Costco on Saturday; the gas prices are the lowest of any we've seen and the store, though crowded, was not as bad as the holidays. It is so nice that it is only about 10 minutes from our house-will make shopping easier and more budget friendly. Today, I wanted to share some photos that we took in Leadville, when we were there. As you know, our primary purpose of the trip was to locate information on hubby's grandmother, great grandparents and great-great grandparents. These homes were at the addresses where hubby's ancestors lived at the end of the 1890's thru the early 1900's. Many of the lots were vacant, but these were still(barely)standing. Being a mining town, it appears they moved around a lot. They also lived in Aspen and Meeker.

This locomotive reminded me of the ones we saw in Alaska, with the snow plow.

Just had to leave you with this photo-isn't it spectacular.  I've walked this morning and now have to get in and bake two breakfast crisps for bible study tomorrow. Each group provides snacks for one week, since there are 80 ladies doing the studies, I thought I'd rather make enough to bring home than not.  Hunter will also be getting a bath today; we had friends over yesterday whose dog was a bit mouthy and slobbered all over him.  Hope you have a wonderful day.
Blessings,
Noreen

Fabric Fun

As you know, I took four granddaughters to Joanne's yesterday, to pick out fabric to make headbands from. We had such fun and the only thing better would have been if their Auntie Susan, aka sister of my heart-my sil, was with us. I'm sharing these photos today for her. The girls were so excited to be going on an outing with me and to be buying fabric of their choosing(o.k. mostly their choosing, I did need to give some direction though). I stressed how I wanted the girls to to pick what they liked and not just choose what their cousins choose-you know how best friends can be. Aletha, if you are reading this, you'll remember back to high school when we were inseparable and I wanted to wear all the same clothes you did.

Once they choose their fabrics, we had to choose some embellishments too. I couldn't believe how expensive buttons were.  Love the owl buttons.  I will have to make a head band up prior to our next sewing lesson.  I will say shopping with the girls was so much fun, we may have to make it part of our sewing classes.  From all these fabrics, I'm thinking they will get two headbands each; maybe they will be able to give a matching one to their cousins.  They will also be making headbands for their younger sisters and mommas.
Hope you have a splendid Friday!  I'm off with a friend shopping this morning and then will work on my quilt.
Noreen