Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

Channeling my inner Annie Sloan

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Have you ever painted with chalk paint? If yes, then you're my new BFF. Joe and I recently moved into a house we had built in the modern farmhouse style—waving to you, Joanna Gaines—and now I find myself "hankering" (I love that word, it's so good & Southern) to paint some of our furniture. First, my parent's king bed . . . I love the bed but the brown finish just isn't what I … [Read more...]

New Tricks

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You can call me old-fashioned. I don’t mind, because in many ways, I am. I have an e-reader, but I much prefer a “real” book. I have thousands of photographs on my phone, but I still print out my favorites and display them all over the house. I send and receive text messages, but it’s a special thrill to receive a hand-written letter from someone I love. I enjoy talking to my granddaughters on … [Read more...]

Read to Not be Alone + Giveaway

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Anyone else feeling a bit isolated and alone? We are still largely sheltering in place in our corner of Indiana, and the weeks are getting long. A friend posted something on Friday about it being 70 days since she'd seen her husband -- they were separated when the country she'd traveled to locked down -- and the number made me sigh. It feels so large...and so small at the same time. I think that's … [Read more...]

Teaching Moments

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Hi friends, I pray you and your family are doing well and staying healthy during this crazy season of life. With all this extra time at home, particularly before they started Stage One of reintroduction (what it’s called in Maryland at least), I thought I’d have so much time and get so much accomplished. I’d finish my book early, I’d get all my launch stuff prepped and ready to roll out when … [Read more...]

Some Things Never Change…

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My husband and I drove to northern Minnesota, an area of charming old-time resorts, kitschy shops, and rustic cafes that serve local favorites like walleye, wild rice soup, hot dish, and many kinds of pie. (Raspberry rhubarb crunch anyone?) We try to make it up there once a year, sometimes in spring, sometimes in summer, and most often in autumn when colorful leaves add to the beauty of the North … [Read more...]

God Sees & Cares (and a giveaway!)

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On July 9th, 1993, my husband and I attended our wedding rehearsal. Afterward we enjoyed a dinner for the wedding party, family, and out of town guests. Then His Highness and I exchanged wedding gifts. He gave me this beautiful necklace.... And I gave him this Bible.... I remember shopping for it carefully. Talking through all the choices in depth. Considering my options. … [Read more...]

The Hiding Place

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This year, my Facebook group, The Posse, took on a reading challenge. Each month, we have a different challenge to guide our reading. It's been great push to get me out of my usual routine. This month, we were challenged to read a book published in the year we were born. Being born in 1971, I was worried that I would find nothing that interested me, but after a brief Google search, I discovered … [Read more...]

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