To Everything a Season
One of my favorite parts of the Bible has always been Ecclesiastes. I love the quote about there being a season for everything...my editor at Abingdon noted that I used it in the three book Amish series I'm writing for her and changed my titles to reflect this. While I thought I loved the original titles, the change she made was brilliant. Now the three books are A Time for Love, A Time for Peace, and A Time for Healing. The first book will be out in August or September. I'm working on the second right now. Chris visits an Amish community hoping to find peace from his inner turmoil but instead meets a woman who is anything but a quiet Amish miss. And danger lurks in this seemingly peaceful community, a danger that will threaten them both. I'm really enjoying working on the book.
I was also thinking about Ecclesiastes because we've got an "in between" time right now in the weather in the part of Florida where I live (east coast near central Florida). We had a brief spell of record breaking low temps that made us grateful anew that we don't live in a colder part of the country ... I kept wondering how anyone gets anything accomplished up north because all I wanted to do was burrow under the covers. One day, when I was sick with bronchitis, I got so cold that I tucked my plump little Chihuahua mix under the blankets with me and held her like a teddy bear to warm myself up. Now it's nicer outside and yet it's not Spring. I want to get out and plant some Spring flowers but it's too soon when we don't know we'll have another freeze. It may sound strange but we still get cold weather up through April here so I'll have to wait a bit longer.
Meanwhile, there's still time for you to enter the contest to win four books -- one by each of us here at AmishHearts. All you have to do is enter a comment here at this site (not on Facebook or AmishLiving.com). We'll announce the winner next month. Why don't you tell me what you are doing to get through the winter where you live? If it's cold, how do you stay warm? What's your favorite winter-time activity and food?
Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Barbara
PS: An Amish Christmas is # 7 on the CBA bestseller list! Thank you to our readers!
I was also thinking about Ecclesiastes because we've got an "in between" time right now in the weather in the part of Florida where I live (east coast near central Florida). We had a brief spell of record breaking low temps that made us grateful anew that we don't live in a colder part of the country ... I kept wondering how anyone gets anything accomplished up north because all I wanted to do was burrow under the covers. One day, when I was sick with bronchitis, I got so cold that I tucked my plump little Chihuahua mix under the blankets with me and held her like a teddy bear to warm myself up. Now it's nicer outside and yet it's not Spring. I want to get out and plant some Spring flowers but it's too soon when we don't know we'll have another freeze. It may sound strange but we still get cold weather up through April here so I'll have to wait a bit longer.
Meanwhile, there's still time for you to enter the contest to win four books -- one by each of us here at AmishHearts. All you have to do is enter a comment here at this site (not on Facebook or AmishLiving.com). We'll announce the winner next month. Why don't you tell me what you are doing to get through the winter where you live? If it's cold, how do you stay warm? What's your favorite winter-time activity and food?
Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Barbara
PS: An Amish Christmas is # 7 on the CBA bestseller list! Thank you to our readers!
Posted by Barbara Cameron at 2/4/2010 11:35 PM 
Categories: An Amish Gathering, reader contest
Tags: Amish fiction reader contest
Categories: An Amish Gathering, reader contest
Tags: Amish fiction reader contest
Barbara,
I like to eat stews, soups, or chicken and dumplings on cold days. This winter we have had single digits in December and snow on Christmas day and just last weekend. That one really shut us down. The one on Christmas limited some activity during the early part of the day, but with much care we were able to be with family. Not so last week, we had very little movement on Saturday, but Sunday was a pretty day with the snowfall still blanketing the ground. But I am like you, I live in the south and do so because I like the warmer weather. Not the humidity that we get in the summer, but the Springs blooming in March and very little if any snow. As a kid I loved snow, but now with arthritis and artifical knees, I'd rather not have any snow. I told someone after the single digits and blizzard like conditions at Christmas and then snow last weekend, that I don't live in the north to keep away from such weather, but it seems that it has found its way south.
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Winter's are hard for us since we are more in tuned with Spring, Summer and Fall. We play soccer, fish and just be... outside until we have to go in. Winters are filled with family night meals and games. They love to play board games, farkle (a dice) game or WII sports games. The house is full of giggles and laughter and I do love it so.
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The one thing that I do to keep warm is stay out of the terrible wind that always blow here in Oklahoma. I love to drink hot chocolate at night with my hubby, it just makes you warm inside and always helps me to sleep well.
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I too like to cuddle up with a really soft blanket and read all these wonderful AMISH books you guys are giving us! Such a talent you ladies have! Topped off with a wonderful cup of hot cocoa! Thanks for all the books and keep them coming, we will buy every one!
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I'm staying warm indoors reading, sewing and knitting.
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I can certainly share your feelings when it comes to bitter cold in the south. We have 3 house dogs. They make such nice little heaters when you get them under the fleece throw! Four new books to read would be a nice way to get through this winter!!!
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Here in Illinois, and being retired we stay indoors and cook or bake. Also do a lot of reading and working puzzles.
Am looking forward to all of new books
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Can't wait to read them Barbara.
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Hey, This winter has been crazy with "el nino" (in this case bad boy) seesawing from cold to hot, rainy to cold, to hot ad nauseum. If it weren't for my furry friend, I wouldn't be venturing out to walk her 4 times day, and that would be less exercise, bad for me so there's blessing in this FL windter (you like that sp?). Take care.
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There's nothing like a big pot of homemade vegetable-beef soup to warm you up in the cold winter.I love to curl up under a quilt with a great book.I love winter time.Winter time is a good time to catch up on all my reading and unfinished projects.Thanks for all the great books.Keep them coming.
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Please enter me into your contest - thanks! It is very, very cold in the winter here. We like to be indoors! I make beef stew and other warm dishes. A special treat is poutine (a French-Canadian dish made by topping french fries with shredded mozzarella cheese and poutine sauce - something like a spiced beef gravy) - yummy! My favorite thing to do is to snuggle on the couch with a warm blanket and a cat on my lap and read a good book!
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Since I, myself am originally from Florida, I just can't seem to get used to these COLD Missouri winters. It's been 16 years now (lol) and I still freeze every year. My favorite thing to do during that time is to pile up with a warm blanket, good book and my family around. I also enjoy making BLT soup to warm our insides when it's cold outside!
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I live in Eastern Canada - Nova Scotia to be exact - and don't mind winter at all, as strange as that may sound to many! Humidity saps me in the summer but this time of year the air is clear and crisp and everything looks so beautiful with the snow. If you go for a walk or sledding or skiing you bundle up in appropriate clothing and footwear and in the car you're warm and cozy just as you are indoors. And in case you're wondering, I'm not a kid anymore but the grandmother of 7 so have seen many winters. I guess nobody in my family ever minded winters other than slippery roads so perhaps it's a learned attitude. Soups, stews, warm apple cider and tea all help to keep one warm and happy. Taking a camera to really see and appreciate the beauty out there is a great way to focus. Each of the seasons has its own special beauty, winter included!!
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I love to make hot cinnamon rolls in the cold of Winter. Along with a pot of chili, there is nothing so comforting as these. The smell of the yeast and cinnamon rolls baking and the chili cooking slowly is relaxing in itself.
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Barbara, I love those book titles! Your editor must have been inspired! Can't wait for them to come out. The second book you mentioned sounds really good, with a hint of mystery in it. Congratulations to all three of you ladies on the great success with An Amish Christmas!
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I don't know if it's me or it's always this cold in upstate New York but I'm really freezing in the evening. Maybe it's because I retired early last October and I don't have the heat that I get from work???? My hubby and I are heating with wood from morning to late afternoon and then we wait for the oil furnace to kick on. I make a lot of vegetable soup and chili from the moose meat my hubby brought home from Newfoundland last year - it really no different than beef. Love your books, keep up the good work.
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Barbara,
It has been unusually cold and snowy here in Western North Carolina. We love to eat what I call "comfort foods" to help us survive the cold. Last night I made a big pot of chili. Also always on the menu is coffee for my husband and hot chocolate for me.
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I live in Comstock Park, Michigan so we have cold and snow. Expecting a storm overnite. Always lived in Michigan but still don't like cold. I love to read and do audios. Love to check emails and online. Love this site.Betty Ann
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