My daughter's second grade Sunday School class presented a nativity play to their parents this past weekend.  The play came complete with a narrator (the teacher in the red shirt in the below photo), dialogue, costumes, and hymns. The kids closed their performance by singing Joy to the World, which caused me to wonder about the history behind one my  favorite Christmas carols.  So I looked … [Read more...]

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Wade house. Just for fun, I thought I'd take you on a quick pictorial tour of my holiday decorations.  So, come on in! [And be sure to stick around for info on my free Christmas story and a Christmas giveaway while you're here.] For the second year in a row I purchased my wreath from Home Depot for less than $20.  Allergies prevent me … [Read more...]

Please welcome my friend, author Jill Kemerer, back to Inspired by Life... and Fiction.  On this Black Friday, she's spreading Christmas cheer with a giveaway just for you!  - Becky Thank you, Becky, for letting me hijack your scheduled day! I hope all our American readers had a lovely Thanksgiving, and for everyone else, let’s all celebrate that it’s almost the weekend. Woo … [Read more...]

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, then you already know that my friend Katie Ganshert and I are embroiled in a hard-fought 'Fall Pinterest War'.  We're currently 3 weeks into a 4 week long war.  Each Monday, we find an enticing pin on Pinterest.  (Typically either a craft, a photo, a beauty tip, or a recipe.)  Then we both attempt the challenge.  We post our results on Fridays and invite … [Read more...]

His Highness and I just returned from a trip to Eureka Spring, Arkansas.  Are you familiar with Eureka Springs? It's an historic town that became popular around 1880 because locals believed its many natural springs had healing powers.  Eureka Springs' Main Street runs down the bottom rib of a valley.  The rest of the streets and structures snake upward from there.  What's absolutely astonishing … [Read more...]