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Thursday, November 28, 2013

Merry Thanksmas

copyright Lucy Adams 2013
 I believe this says it all.

The only thing I'd like to add is:

This month, every person who uses the buttons below to purchase a signed copy of If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny or Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run or The Beast of Blue Mountain will be entered in a drawing to win an If Mama Don't Laugh apron (a $23.00 value). The apron reads If Mama Don't Laugh It Ain't Funny and is Teflon coated to resist stains. Winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified on Monday, December 2.  

Buy one of each book and have your name entered in the drawing three times. Buying two of the three books enters your name two times. Buying one of the three books enters your name one time.

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Get more for your money with an If Mama Gift Bundle.

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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

5 Lessons from the First Thanksgiving

The Pilgrims arrived in the New World without a clue about how to survive in this wild place. The Wampanoag Indians, seeing that the white people's numbers decreased day by day, decided to help. Out of this partnership was born the legend of the first Thanksgiving. We can learn a lot from that inaugural feast:

1. Be happy for what we've got. The Pilgrims and Indians laid a spread of the fruits of the land. They were pleased to eat squash and berries and venison. No one whined, "I want goose." But we go to the refrigerator full of ready-to-eat foods, look in and complain that we've nothing to eat.

2. Give gratitude in grand ways. We text "Tx" or "ty." We quickly tap out an email that says, "Thanks :-)." But we rarely give saying "Thank you" the time or effort it took to put on the spread of the first ever feast of giving thanks for the good fortune of one human doing a kindness for another. When was the last time you sent a handwritten thank you note? Or looked another person in the eye and said a sincere thank you? Or sent flowers or a bottle of wine to someone who did something small for you? Or prepared a meal and invited a person who showed you generosity to dine with you?

3. Make the memory of the day better than the actual event. The first Thanksgiving was probably plagued by pesky insects. Someone probably showed up late. Maybe it was cold or it rained or the deer was smaller than desired. Maybe a Pilgrim made a racial slur about Indians or an Indian criticized the way Pilgrims dress. Undoubtedly, there were things that went wrong. Bad blood always shows up for gatherings of this magnitude. But those irritations are not what folks chose to remember about the holiday. The Pilgrims and Indians left us with a lasting sentimental image of a perfect day spent breaking bread with family and friends. We should honor that by maintaining decorum in our own celebrations so that we will remember them fondly.

4. Make new friends. Lots of us live by the motto No New Friends. We're busy and getting to know someone new takes energy. Nurturing a friendship requires attention and time. We might still be on the other side of the pond if the Pilgrims had had the same attitude. New friends refresh us.

5. Celebrate successes. It's tempting to complete one task and immediately move on to the next. Life becomes one long to-do list. We need to remember to take time to celebrate successes big and small with the people who helped us achieve them.

Dang those Indians and Pilgrims were smart!

They are so smart that they never would have missed an opportunity like this:

 This month, every person who uses the buttons below to purchase a signed copy of If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny or Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run or The Beast of Blue Mountain will be entered in a drawing to win an If Mama Don't Laugh apron (a $23.00 value). The apron reads If Mama Don't Laugh It Ain't Funny and is Teflon coated to resist stains. Winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified on Monday, December 2.

Buy one of each book and have your name entered in the drawing three times. Buying two of the three books enters your name two times. Buying one of the three books enters your name one time.

$14.95







Get more for your money with an If Mama Gift Bundle.

$15.95









$9.95













Monday, November 25, 2013

5 Lessons from Modern Thanksgiving

Times have changed since Pilgrims first set foot on Plymouth Rock. Thanks to their fortitude and the aid of the Wampanoag Indians, not only did the Pilgrims beat a path for the rise of a nation, they and the Wampanoag set the foundation for one of America's most beloved holidays.

We gather annually to eat pie and offer gratitude for life's blessings. Inside of this gluttonous affair are a few take-home nuggets that form truths of life:

1. Pour on the gravy. Everything is better with embellishment - stories, compliments, platters of sliced meat. Don't hold back on adding interest as long as the addition is sincere and not gratuitous.

2. Domestic turkeys don't fly. Crazy, weird, rude and hungry relatives show up for Thanksgiving dinner without fail. They will never leave the coop. The only way to rid oneself of a domestic turkey is to eat it, and I feel macabre just quietly typing that crude suggestion.

3. One can of cranberry sauce feeds a crowd. In other words, enough is as good as a feast.

4. Casseroles build stamina. There's no other way to explain Thanksgiving revelers' ability to cook all morning, eat at noon, watch football the rest of the day and then shop all night.

5. Children are resilient. Throughout November, we teach kids finger plays like, "Five fat turkeys sat on a fence . . ." We show them how to trace their hand and draw a turkey. We read them books about turkeys and we put up decorations featuring turkeys with beautiful tail feathers. We elevate the bird to noble status. The children then arrive at the table on Thanksgiving Day to discover that we unceremoniously beheaded, plucked and roasted a turkey and are eager to get at its dark meat. If only the poor thing had known how to fly.

Don't miss your chance to enter the drawing to win an If Mama Don't Laugh apron:

This month, every person who uses the buttons below to purchase a signed copy of If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny or Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run or The Beast of Blue Mountain will be entered in a drawing to win an If Mama Don't Laugh apron (a $23.00 value). The apron reads If Mama Don't Laugh It Ain't Funny and is Teflon coated to resist stains. Winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified on Monday, December 2.

Buy one of each book and have your name entered in the drawing three times. Buying two of the three books enters your name two times. Buying one of the three books enters your name one time.


$14.95








Get more for your money with an If Mama Gift Bundle.
$15.95










$9.95













Friday, November 22, 2013

Skipping Thanksgiving

Don't you feel like Thanksgiving gets the shaft? Since before Halloween, retailers have been shoving Christmas up our noses and down our throats and under our fingernails. They treat Thanksgiving like a mosquito buzzing in their ears. They swat at it and swat at it, but it's still here.

But what if we did just do it, just skipped Thanksgiving? I fantasized about such . . .


Enter to win:
This month, every person who uses the buttons below to purchase a signed copy of If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny or Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run or The Beast of Blue Mountain will be entered in a drawing to win an If Mama Don't Laugh apron (a $23.00 value). The apron reads If Mama Don't Laugh It Ain't Funny and is Teflon coated to resist stains. Winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified on Monday, December 2.

Buy one of each book and have your name entered in the drawing three times. Buying two of the three books enters your name two times. Buying one of the three books enters your name one time.


$14.95






Get more for your money with an If Mama Gift Bundle.




$15.95









$9.95










Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Aisle 6: Everything Nice

Sugar and spice and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of. And they're on Aisle 6 at the IGA.

Check the meat department for snips and snails and puppy-dog tails. You'll probably find little boys hanging around the IGA meat department, too. They're picking up packages of pigs' feet and brains and running over to aisle 6 with them to make the little girls scream in disgust.

It's just another day of grocery shopping in the South, where we don't really care what you do as long as you don't walk and smoke and you wear shoes in public buildings.

Enter to win:
This month, every person who uses the buttons below to purchase a signed copy of If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny or Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run or The Beast of Blue Mountain will be entered in a drawing to win an If Mama Don't Laugh apron (a $23.00 value). The apron reads If Mama Don't Laugh It Ain't Funny and is Teflon coated to resist stains. Winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified on Monday, December 2.

Buy one of each book and have your name entered in the drawing three times. Buying two of the three books enters your name two times. Buying one of the three books enters your name one time.


$14.95






Get more for your money with an If Mama Gift Bundle.




$15.95









$9.95










Monday, November 18, 2013

Be My Guest - Author Jan Romes


Please welcome author Jan Romes to my blog. Jan Romes grew up in northwest Ohio in the midst of eight zany siblings. Married to her high school sweetheart for more years than seems possible, she's also a mom, grandmother, and mother-in-law. Jan writes stories with sharp, witty characters who give as good as they get. When she's not writing, Jan likes to read all genres, find new ways to stay fit and healthy, and while she in no way has a green-thumb, she likes to grow pumpkins and sunflowers.
  
Lucy, I am truly honored to be on your blog talking about The Christmas Contract! Thank you for having me here today!

Christmas is a magical time of year filled with religious significance and love for others. In that frame of mind, I wanted to write a sweet romance with a pure heart. I wanted love alone to drive the story. There’s chemistry but it’s simmering instead of boiling.

This particular tale is not only about finding that special someone, it also involves love for family, friends, and community (especially those in need). 
http://www.amazon.com/The-Christmas-Contract-Jan-Romes-ebook/dp/B00FV2LTAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383351759&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Christmas+Contract 
 The best way to introduce you to The Christmas Contract is with the blurb:

Millionaire Dax Dawson is a world-class philanthropist and grandfather. While he's generous with his money, he also makes the community work for it. He's the same with his family. No free handouts. What he gives has strings attached. Dax decides it's time for his fiercely independent, almost-thirty year old granddaughters to settle down. He wants them to find love and give him great-grandchildren before his lights go out. And he knows how to make it happen.

Prompted by love, guilt and a desire to own their own business, the Dawson triplets -- Joy, Noelle and Christi -- enter into a Christmas contract that will change their lives forever.

Finding true love is a unique adventure, so each girl has their own story. The outcome for all three, however, funnels into one giant happily-ever-after.

Enter:

Joy -- the bookworm and accountant
Noelle -- the fashionista who works in a high-end boutique
Christi -- tomboy and fitness trainer
Luke -- playboy and car salesman
Turk -- grease monkey and all around nice guy who repairs cars
Michael - strictly business/uptight guy who owns a realty company
Dax - silver fox and well intentioned manipulator

Let the fun begin!

Here’s an excerpt from the story

Joy carried a box of canned French-cut green beans to the veggie aisle and began stacking the cans in neat rows on the shelf. She sighed with contentment. Helping out at the food pantry brought a unique calm. The last week and a half had been stressful, but in the big scheme of things, she didn’t have any problems. The food pantry always put things into perspective. There were folks out there with real issues; losing their jobs, not enough food to make it through the week, getting behind on their mortgages, and worst of all, health problems. So why was she making such a huge deal out of how things had gone with Luke Urban? He was a playboy for crying out loud. A playboy with math problems. A fixer-upper. Instead of wasting precious time worrying about him, she needed to focus on finding love to fulfill her part of the contract. You can do it, Joy. Take a deep breath. Focus. Do it for the restaurant. Do it for your sisters. Do it for Gramps. Do it for… No. No. No. Doing it for Luke made no sense. She exhaled like a tire losing air. Grr. The pressure of that darn contract had turned her sharp brain into a tub of applesauce. 

Joy continued to stack the cans, but now she did it with a clunk. The tiny inner-voice she tried to ignore got louder. Take it easy on the green beans. They’re not the cause of your problems. Really? Not the green beans? Sarcasm was having its way with her, while reality tried to ruin any chance of having a quiet day. She hated when the truth surfaced because she usually didn’t like what it had to say. And right now it was telling her that she wanted Luke. But wanting him made no sense. They were complete opposites. She was a bookworm, for crying out loud. While opposites were known to attract, she was too far one way. “You’re forgetting something very important…he’s not interested,” she mumbled under her breath.

“Who’s not interested,” Marie Collingsworth said.

A tinge of heat found Joy’s cheeks. It was hard to explain the comment. “Just venting my thoughts.”
Marie was close to her grandfather’s age, and just as wise. She patted Joy on the shoulder. “I wouldn’t go back to the dating age if someone paid me.” Her aged gray eyes glistened with knowledge. “Kids these days play head games with each other. They pretend they don’t like the other person as a way to reel them in. In my day, if you liked someone you let them know.”

Joy chuckled. “You’re right. We not only play head games with the other person, we play them with ourselves.”

Marie studied Joy. “Well stop doing that and go get your man. Go after your happiness.” 

Joy cocked an eyebrow. “Are you a plant?” 

“I’m not following you, dear.”

Joy wrapped an arm around the sweet woman. “Have you met my grandfather, Dax Dawson?”

It was Marie’s turn to blush. “I know Dax. Very handsome man.”

Marie was a widow who spent most of her free time at the food pantry. She had a big heart for those in need, just like her granddad. “Yes, he is,” Joy agreed. If ever there was a light-bulb moment, this was it. She would invite Marie to Sunday dinner sometime. 

A buzzer sounded at the back door announcing another donation. Joy was about to rush away to answer it, but Marie was five steps ahead of her.

Joy changed routes and headed to the storage room. She loaded a case of canned corn and a case of red beets in her arms and hurried back to stock the shelves. Marie was dead-on when it came to dating and finding the right person. It was a grueling game where the odds of winning were slim. And the only way to bring an end to the nonsense going on in her head was to wear herself out to the point of exhaustion. If she was too tired to think, maybe the madness would stop. She began stacking the red beets with a vengeance.
From the back door, Marie hollered, “Joyyyyy.” 

“Be right there.” She finished putting the last few cans of beets on the shelves and went to see what Marie needed. 

Standing in the doorway with at least six plastic grocery bags filled almost to the point of breaking, was Luke Urban.

Joy’s mouth dropped open. “Luke?” The sight of him made her heart rate spike. 

Luke smiled, small at first, but the corners of his mouth tipped higher until it was a full-fledged grin. “Wanted to make a donation.” One by one, he handed the bags to Joy who in turn handed them to Marie. 

It was hard to contain her confusion…and delight…at seeing him. Was this food donation a coincidence, or something more? “Umm, that’s great, Luke.” She shifted in place and her gaze moved from Luke to Marie.
Marie inclined her head toward Luke, like she was prompting Joy to continue the conversation. A peculiar look in her eyes said, “No games.” 

“Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?” Joy asked.

Marie jumped into the conversation. “We’re out of coffee.”

“We’re not out of…” Awareness dawned. Marie wasn’t immune to games either, it would seem. Sitting on the counter in the space they’d renovated to be a kitchen, was almost a full can of coffee, and the coffeemaker was gurgling with completion of a new pot at that very moment. The mouthwatering aroma filled the air. 

“Would you like to go somewhere for a cup,” Joy asked, surprising Luke…and herself. Joy didn’t risk a look at Marie for she knew what she’d find – a satisfied smile.

If you’d like to read more about Joy, Noelle and Christi Dawson’s contract to find love you can find it at Amazon -  http://www.amazon.com/The-Christmas-Contract-Jan-Romes-ebook/dp/B00FV2LTAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383351759&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Christmas+Contract


 
You can follow Jan at:
Twitter - @janromes

Friday, November 15, 2013

Russell Crowe as NOAH

The trailer for Paramount’s highly anticipated blockbuster NOAH has finally arrived! You won't believe this cast: Russell Crowe, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson. Big time names that bring the Bible to life. Anyone who thinks the Bible is boring will be wowed by NOAH. It has drama of "biblical proportions" you might say. 

Synopsis: After visions of an apocalyptic deluge, Noah, the world’s only righteous man, is chosen to undertake a divine mission to build a massive ark to save his family and all of creation before the impending rains fall and the flood waters rise. 

But NOAH lets go of the Sunday school image of a bearded old man holding a dove beneath a rainbow. It captures the grit of God's charge to Noah. I can't wait to see this one on the big screen.

Meanwhile, here's the trailer to tantalize you:



Enter to win:

This month, every person who uses the buttons below to purchase a signed copy of If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny or Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run or The Beast of Blue Mountain will be entered in a drawing to win an If Mama Don't Laugh apron (a $23.00 value). The apron reads If Mama Don't Laugh It Ain't Funny and is Teflon coated to resist stains. Winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified on Monday, December 2.

Buy one of each book and have your name entered in the drawing three times. Buying two of the three books enters your name two times. Buying one of the three books enters your name one time.


$14.95






Get more for your money with an If Mama Gift Bundle.




$15.95









$9.95










Wednesday, November 13, 2013

If Mama Don't Laugh Gift Bundle

Special Offer! Special Offer! Special Offer!

No Coupon Code Needed!

The first six (6) people to use the PayPal button below to order a signed copy of If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny ($14.95) will receive an If Mama Don't Laugh ball cap for FREE (valued at $17.00). S&H is added to the order at checkout. 

Give the gift of laughter this holiday season.

 







***Once six orders are received, I will post a message here. After that, signed books may still be ordered using the PayPal button, but will not be coupled with free ballcaps.

And Don't Forget, your purchase also enters you in a drawing to win an If Mama Don't Laugh Apron:

This month, every person who uses the buttons below to purchase a signed copy of If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny or Tuck Your Skirt in Your Panties and Run or The Beast of Blue Mountain will be entered in a drawing to win an If Mama Don't Laugh apron (a $23.00 value). The apron reads If Mama Don't Laugh It Ain't Funny and is Teflon coated to resist stains. Winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified on Monday, December 2.



Buy one of each book and have your name entered in the drawing three times. Buying two of the three books enters your name two times. Buying one of the three books enters your name one time.

$14.95










$15.95










$9.95