Tuesday, August 28, 2012

books worth reading


books worth reading: redeeming love

i just got finished reading this book. it was a recommendation 
 i saw on pinterest from my sister.
it was an enjoyable christian love story! 
i would love to do a bible study at my home with this book...
at the end it has a book discussion.
i am now going to read as many books as i can by francine rivers...
her writing is not only enjoyable but also a way to connect with god! 


This book feature information was taken from AMAZON.com
In this splendid retelling of the biblical story of Hosea, bestselling author Francine Rivers pens a heartbreaking romance between a prostitute and the upright and kind farmer who marries her; the story also functions as a reminder of God's unconditional love for his people. Redeeming Love opens with the Gold Rush of 1850 and its rough-and-tumble atmosphere of greed and desire. Angel, who was sold into prostitution as a child, has learned to distrust all men, who see her only as a way to satisfy their lust. When the virtuous and spiritual-minded Michael Hosea is told by God to marry this "soiled dove," he obeys, despite his misgivings. As Angel learns to love him, she begins to hope again but is soon overwhelmed by fear and returns to her old life. Rivers shines in her ability to weave together spiritual themes and sexual tension in a well-told story, a talent that has propelled her into the spotlight as one of the most popular novelists in the genre of Christian fiction. This is one of her best. --Cindy Crosby --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

 From Library Journal

Rivers has rewritten a secular historical romance of the same name (Bantam, 1991) for the Christian market, and it is a splendid piece of work exploring both physical love and a love of God. Angel, a young, hardened prostitute sold into "the life" as a child, has no interest in God or religion. Then she meets Michael Hosea, a devout Christian who tells her it is his mission to save her. After being badly beaten, Angel decides to take Michael up on his offer of marriage. Eventually, she learns not only to love Michael but to love God as well. There is not one false note in this wonderful novel. The publisher's foreword rates the book "PG" for its adult themes and subplots of rape and incest. However, these are handled with great sensitivity and are very much a part of the story's development. Very highly recommended for most libraries.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

 Review

"The truth that ran through that story [Redeeming Love] absolutely took me to my knees. And I was a changed person when I finished reading that book. "
- Amy Grant, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter

"A splendid piece of work exploring both physical love and a love of God...There is not one false note in this wonderful novel."
Library Journal

"Simply put, Redeeming Love is the most powerful work of fiction you will ever read."
- Liz Curtis Higgs, best-selling author of Thorn in My Heart

"The timeless biblical themes...are beautifully portrayed and brought to life through her unforgettable characters."
- Stephen Arterburn, best-selling author of The Everyman Series

"My heart and soul were profoundly shaken as I realized anew the lessons portrayed through the stories of Hosea and Gomer, Michael and Angel. This may be the single most moving book you will read this year - or in your lifetime."
- Angela Hunt, author of Magdalene


From the Hardcover edition.

 About the Author

F R A N C I N E  R I V E R S has enjoyed a successful writing career for more than thirty years.  A New York Times best-selling author, her novels have been awarded or nominated for numerous prizes, including the RITA Award, the Christy
Award, and the ECPA Gold Medallion. In 1997, she was inducted into the Romance Writers Hall of Fame. Francine’s works have been translated into more than thirty different languages and she enjoys best-seller status in many foreign countries. She and her husband live in Northern California, with her three grown children and grandchildren nearby.

  Visit Francine online at www.FrancineRivers.com.


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

documenting life: tripp parker 2 months old


tripp parker klam turned 2 months old july 24, 2012
this week he will be 3 months old!
wow...how time truly does fly...especially when you are building a house!
it seems we are just going through the motions right now.
i am so ready for things to slow down!

these photos were taken on the high oaks ranch by kerrie bachhofer photography










weekly words of wisdom


words of wisdom: 
i am a pinterest addict!
 the following quotes i pinned this week and wanted to share with you...


i am really working on this...

my mom has always taught me this...
found here

doing is good...i just need to make sure i am still enough for god's timing!

Monday, August 13, 2012

i do!

i love weddings!
 tai the knot was originally my business name i used for wedding coordinating.
(thanks michael kellett for the creative name...and thanks mammie for the tag line)
i still coordinate weddings from time to time.

i saw this e card and had to laugh...i so feel this way sometimes!


especially when i see weddings like the one featured below.
i fell in LOVE with it...








amazing photography & amazing design. love it.
wedding pics found HERE
Natalie Barrett Photography


i will post my wedding pics someday soon...
maybe on our 9 year anniversary in january

Thursday, August 9, 2012

la fiesta!



 it was a fiesta...
 kate's 2nd birthday
circa 2011






















invitations purchased HERE
papel picado art flags purchased HERE
kate's dress purchased from: pink chicken


home sweet home


one of my true loves is design, decorating, junking, salvaging etc.
the building of our dream home came faster then i thought it would
out of necessity and a need for change!
i had to throw a house plan together in less then 6 weeks! WOW!
luckily i had honed in my decorating style to an extent so i knew what i wanted...

i wanted a farmhouse similar to the 20's era...
below you will see our dream becoming a reality.



my inspirations for the house...

we developed our house plan from the...
"cottage of the year" house plan from southern living


photo #1

photo #2
"cottage of the year" by southern living


i basically flipped the master bedroom part around 
so that the bathroom is facing the front. we took off the guest cottage.
the upstairs of the house is a new design based on the changes made to the plan.
the exterior of the house was adapted from photo #1 & #2


here is the status of the house as of 08.09.12 
lots of work still left to be done...shutters, landscaping etc.


this is the living room...
we are using salvaged products when we can.
the wall your are seeing that is grey will have 
old chicago face cut bricks...
the stained glass you see over the doorway is from the 1800's
(more details soon)


view of the master tub...
i will have to say that this tub was the buy of the year!
we picked this little winner up at habitat for humanity in waco 
for...
$175
it's a Koehler and i found one online for $2500!!!


these little pretties were found at 
in warrenton, tx
(not sure the vendor)



more to come soon...