A Heart Most Certain Book Review

I received my Influencer copy of this book August 1st, and took it on a little outing to capture a lovely picture of it.

Click here to purchase

I even posed it in this little garden wall I found, 

to create a fun profile picture. 

Melissa Jagears has captured my heart with her newest book, A Heart Most Certain.  Her story is so rich with prayer and growth of faith, and held my interest throughout.  I cannot recommend it enough.

The story takes place in Teaville, Kansas, 1905. STOP! Seriously?  Well, be still my heart… what a perfect name for a town!  It takes a hard look at how the poorest parts of town survived by being a “red light district”, and the very difficult attempt some made to climb out of that life.  It also shows how the middle and upper class viewed those people as so much “less-than” believing they were at fault for their lifestyles, and did not deserve any grace or mercy.  However, that is not the case for every citizen.  Nicholas secretly gives charity and does good works to better their lives and make a difference.  Lydia King, although quite poor in her own right, also does her part, by being a part of the Teaville Moral Society and sewing quilts for the less fortunate.  When the group decides they need sewing machines to increase their production, she is tasked with requesting a donation from the town’s miser, Mr. Lowe.

Old Fashioned Quilting Bee: Pg. 11 The heavy front doors of the massive sandstone church slammed behind her, and she scurried down to an out-of-the-way room in the dank basement.  About a dozen women sat around the room’s large quilting frame.  Half of them were the matriarchs of the church, the other half their daughters or young women without children.

Pg. 15 Lydia took the comb back before Mama could turn her wavy locks into a massive cloud.

There is the occasional bit of witty sarcasm:

Pg. 68, “Don’t tell me you’re that rigid.” Henry tossed a glass paperweight between his hands. “Jesus drank wine.” Nicholas rolled his eyes. “Next time you’re over, bring a barrel of water with you, and pray for a miracle.”

Chapter 7 had me balling! Pg. 129 “Lord, help me stop these children from going where they cannot return. Surely you sent me and Lydia here this day for this reason.  Help me convince Pepper.”

Pg. 185 Wool blankets would be cheaper and could help more people, yes, but I know how it feels to have ‘good enough’. But to receive something beautiful…”She ran a hand down her sleeve, catching the bit of satin ribbon at the end.

This quilt was actually made at the same time our story is set!
(internet photo)

Pg. 193 A shiny new Burdick sewing machine with an intricate wrought-iron treadle and gleaming black-and-gold body stood in the center of the room.

Sometimes, God says, “No.”  In Ch.33, we see Lydia say a prayer that she does not get recognized in the height of danger, but later we learn that indeed she was identified.  I appreciate the fact that not all prayers get a “Yes” answer in the story, because God’s was are not our ways.

This story was packed with detail and deceit.  But it was also rich with people desiring to better themselves for God's glory, and a beautiful love story stitched together over time and circumstances orchestrated by the hand of God.

Finishing up with a cup of tea and a sigh.

5 stars

© 8/2/2016 Bethany House, 388 pages

I received a copy from Bethany House Publ., in exchange for my honest opinion, with no other compensation, which I am privileged to provide.

Read: 08/11-13/2016 - Reviewed: 8/15/2016

SERIES: TEAVILLE MORAL SOCIETY

Book 1 is actually
a novella featured within
the collective book,
With This Ring by
various authors

Here is a fun picture we took to get 

young people interested! LOL!!!

contributing to the PokemonGo craze!

I do hope you will check out this book. 

Until next time,

Hugs and a cup of tea!

In addition to MY BLOG, Reviews posted at:

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And requested my local library to carry

Christmas Musings

Well, hello!

Please click here --> Charlie Brown Christmas Album ~ Vince Guaraldi
and be sure to open in a seperate window so that you may enjoy some lovely music as you grab a cuppa and read on!

I have REALLY been enjoying this tea of late.

Since I have not corresponded with you in a while, I have many things to share this time...

First, a wee bit of Thanksgiving.  The house was filled with family arriving on various days throughout the week.  We had people in every nook and cranny, but we made it work.

There were games, sunsets, fires, roasting marshmallows, homemade pumpkin pie, a turkey that refused to cook (!), and a trip to the apple orchards.

me and my daddy at the apple
orchard.  It was 25*  :)

My son started a part-time job as a caregiver to an elderly neighbor so that her daughters could have some time off.  Miss Annie is 96! She was once a seamstress for Hollywood, and later a bank teller who worked her way up to manager.  She loved, loved, loved square dancing, and has lived in her home for over 30 years!

Isn't she cute?!

After a few days of recoup (and a dryer that was out for a week - eeek!) I managed to get our little tree up.

It wasn't even up an hour, before Abbey snuck in and claimed her spot.

Here is a special treat I found at World Market.  I love it because there are no nuts in it.

I have been hitting a few seasonal sales over the past few days.  First, The Barn (a fun neighborhood sale that opens every few months).

Here are some of the cute things I spotted.

Reindeer Games - - - hee hee!  I would totally
play Bunco with these!

I believe this was made with 1 cup sugar and 1 Tbs.
of pumpkin pie spice.  They sold out in about
10 minutes! <Bakers twine, jingle bell, cute tag,
tiny clothespin, in salt shaker>... now YOU can
do that!

Here is the front & back of a cool piece of pallet Christmas art. 

It lights up!  

And here are the treasures that came home with me.  Because I got such good deals (at least I think so), I will share the prices:
Rod Iron fireplace grate (did you spot Max kitty behind it, checking it out?). $40... bought while in line before grand opening, because somebody was returning it from a previous Barn sale when they discovered it was too small for their house (woo-hoo!). Christmas album for my daughter $3. Awesome green and red mirror (and dang heavy too), $45.  4-pack of Christmas hankies $12. Vintage Christmas cards $2 (more on those later). Teeny bottle brush Christmas tree...um, $2 or $3 - I don't remember. Christmas pillow $5.  Christmas candy bowl $5.  What fun I had!!!
 Here is my little kitchen shelf dolled up for Christmas. Twinings Christmas tea, tiny tea mugs, a Christmas tea for one set, gingerbread men, and even a cute tea themed Christmas towel.


One of my favorite things to do (since my daughter was a baby) is make Christmas shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child (a ministry related to Billy Graham and Samaritan's Purse).  I was able to serve twice in the last week at the processing center, where we check the boxes, and place them in cartons to ship out.  It is tiring, but SUPER rewarding.  We get to see what others have shopped for and packed with love.  Sometimes there are notes, and Christmas cards and photos.  It's great.  I went with my friends, sister and niece on trip #1, and my daughter and son & their friends on trip #2.  Such a blessing.

This week, I made homemade chili and decided to give it a twist.
You see, my ex-husband was kind enough to come fix my broken dryer (yes, we are friends now, PTL and we can do favors for each other).  Any way, he is Mexican, and they like to put cabbage and a squirt of lemon or lime on chicken tortilla soup; so I thought why not try that with chili?  It was delicious!

Now, back to decorating.

Remember that $5 candy dish I snagged? Here's why^

It goes perfectly with this wonderful tea set I got at this time LAST year at The Barn for only $25!!

What is interesting is the tea set is from Poland, but the candy dish is from Japan.  They are SO similar you would never know if I did not point it out ;)

Next, I wanted to show you some of the mantel displays.  The mirror from earlier, along with a cute little wreath 

I picked up for $6 at Trader Joe's.

I think you can see the color really well in this next photo, and
the ribbon was from my stash!

Here is that cute teeny tree from before,
along with a charming vintage looking truck I picked up
the other day, & one of the vintage Christmas cards
featuring a sweet family singing carols.  Incidentally,
I discovered a surprise inside... a small
book of carols complete with sheet music!

The lantern says He is the Light of the world.

Wish I had those boots in my size!

I love this 1950s card.  It features mom doing all the Christmas activities... isn't that authentic ladies?  Off to the right is a chippy, rusty old lantern I got at a previous Barn sale.

The reason for the season :-)

Over my table are some tea themed ornaments 

I have had for a very long time.  

I have not planned a tea for this month yet, but I really should!

I love that song (Dean Martin)!!

Thank you Stephanie!

Just before Thanksgiving, I managed to mail off batch #1 of Christmas cards, and yesterday I received my 1st one in the mail along with this sweet homemade ornament made by my dear friend, Stephanie, over at: The Enchanting Rose

She knows I like lavenders/purples and there is even a bit of bling in the center.  It is hanging in my lavender bathroom!

After church today, I headed to the Hillside Farm Craft Fair (an annual event).
On the way, what to my wondering/wandering? (hmmm...uh, dad?) eyes should appear?


And I spotted this sweet reminder when I got there:

Plus this really interesting piece of china framed in leaded glass,
which apparently is from the homeowner's wedding.

I love the lamp too!

A lady was working on this stocking.

She told me it was from a kit.  I just love gingerbread men!











These guys totally cracked me up!

Those eyes though!

 Snowmen paint sticks! What?!
How adorable.

2 came to live at my house!

OK! Seriously?  We can do this!

Today's SUPER, AWESOME, AMAZING find!
I was really wanting a Christmas quilt, and a lovely lady named Joan had hers on sale.  This is a CA King size with shams, she handmade and it was only $85!


I promptly came home and decorated my room.
I pinned those Christmas hankies you saw earlier to the shams and a throw, and strung some lights.  I figure the set will work all the way into Valentine's day!


Here is my nightstand,
as the lights change colors :-)

See that Santa Mouse book?  It is from my 1st birthday.

I hung 3 plush ornaments from when my kids were little.

Abbey spotted the mouse and prepared to attack!

She was super intrigued by the new bedding and all the goings-on in my room.  

Later, Delilah came to investigate.


While Max just slept in the other room.


And this is the fun, sparkly hat I bought today.  It is handmade by a lady name Deborah who I very much enjoyed speaking to.  She makes them in all sorts of colors, well, except this sparkly red; I got the last one!  She can't find the yarn anymore. Anyhoo, I'm adding her email in case you want one. Only $10!  Lots of floppy play, so you can style how you wish.

by: D's Crocheted Creations
dd.mosely@yahoo.com