When We Make a Difference

Changing the World with One

Act of Kindness 

One of my characters in my newest book, Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart, makes a difference in Rebecca's life without even knowing about it.

Detective Peters gives Rebecca his business card and she thinks about it even when she doesn't have it with her. It gives her comfort to know that Detective Peters is there if she needs him.

How many times have we given encouragement, support, or advice without knowing that later on someone has called upon what we've said to give them support, comfort, and strength to continue on during a difficult time in their lives?

Many times during my career I watched the police officers do extraordinary acts of kindness. Most people have no idea how much they do. 

• It's important to encourage others. We may never know that we've changed others, but one thing I know for sure though is that it changes us when we are kind.

My Latest eBook

Click on the book to go to Amazon

Pleased to announce my latest eBook, "Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart" has been published. It's been a great year.

It happened before, but never for this long. Rebecca's aunt left her alone in their apartment and hasn't returned. So far she's been able to elude the landlord and her principal, but time is running out.

Recipes Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart

Anything in the Refrigerator Muffins

In my book, "Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart" Rebecca calls this the Anything in the Refrigerator Muffin.  I love baking this muffin.  I've used many different combinations:

zucchini and carrots
zucchini and cherries
carrots and applesauce
carrots and blueberries
peaches and blueberries
zucchini, carrots and applesauce

Sometimes I only add one banana and sometimes only one egg, depending on how wet the ingredients are when I mix them all together.  Sometimes I bake them for 60 minutes instead of 50 and even leave them in the oven when they are done for awhile.  This is a very forgiving recipe.

When they are cool I turn them upside down on a cooling rack until the bottom dries.  Then I put them in a Rubbermaid container with paper towel on the bottom and in between layers.  I store them in the refrigerator and we have one or two for a night snack warmed up in the microwave and topped with Reddi Whip.  It makes for a delicious snack.  1 muffin is 1 point - 2 muffins are 3 points.

Tahquamenon Falls

Every year my husband and I try to go to these fabulous falls.

In my 13th book - Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart - Corey, Beth and Rebecca go on a buying trip for the thrift store.  They take a side trip to see these.

In the second book of the Saginaw Series, Bertie's Bakery Heaven Scent, Katy and Jen are overwhelmed with the majestic waterfalls in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Tahquamenon Falls is one of the largest falls west of the Mississippi. It is about 200 feet across with a 50 foot drop. The average flow is 7,000 gallons per minute, sometimes the flow is much more like on this day.

UPDATE!

We are getting closer and closer to publishing my book!

All the editors have given their input.  All the corrections have been entered.  One more final read and hopefully only minor changes and I'll upload into Amazon.

This has been a long journey.  It will be such a blessing to finish it.

So by this time next week - it should be ready to order.

Woohoo!

Buying Trip Itinerary

In my book, "Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart"
Corey, Beth and Rebecca go on a buying trip in Michigan.
Here is their itinerary: 

Saginaw to Lansing 75 miles

Lansing to Grand Rapids 67 miles

Grand Rapids to Grand Haven 34 miles

Grand Haven to Pentwater 56 miles

Pentwater to Interlochen 13 miles

Interlochen to Traverse City 14 miles

Traverse City to Mackinaw City 118 miles

Mackinaw City to Tahquamenon Falls 81 miles

Tahquamenon Falls to Mackinaw City 81 miles

Mackinaw City to Saginaw 191 miles

Woohoo! Draft of "Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart" on to First Editors!

On Sunday, I gave copies of my draft to Kathy and Mary Lynn.  They will read the book, make notations, then we will meet in a few weeks to make edits together.  I am equally nervous and happy.  The characters are my friends, it's hard to give them to someone else's care.

This is just the first step - then Jane edits, I make changes and then Kay gets the final to edit one last time.  So I'm hoping for a September or October book release.  A big thank you to my editors - you are the best!

Wedding Inspiration

Our niece, Kelly, and her husband Bill, had the most beautiful wedding reception. It was filled with family and friends. The room seemed to have a heartbeat, pulsing with love and laughter. It is the inspiration for Aubrey and Todd's wedding in the eBook "Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart" that I am currently writing.

Their Saginaw reception was at the historic Temple Theatre. From the theater website: The theatre known as the “Showplace of Northeastern Michigan” was facing demolition. In 2002, the family of  Dr. Samuel Shaheen purchased the Temple Theatre and the adjoining three story building which includes the Grand Ballroom. After an investment of more than seven million dollars, the “Showplace of Northeastern Michigan” has been returned to her original glory.

Photos taken by Black Sheep Chic. Click to go to their website.

That evening the Grand Ballroom was filled with chandeliers, glittering table runners, a magnificent staircase, and gleaming polished wood floors which all reflected light throughout the room.  Even with all the glitter, candles and chandeliers, the visible love between Kelly and Bill was the brightest part of the evening.

Worth Waiting for Easter!!!

PROMOTION OVER

SAVE THE DATES

Free Book Promotion coming soon!

April 20 - 24, 2019

MY GIFT TO YOU - FREE BOOK FOR EASTER BREAK READING

Easter Break in Florida

After Olivia, and her sister Kyla, are disrespectful to one of their teachers at St. Mary Cathedral High School in Saginaw, Michigan their mom tells them a secret about him. Can they keep the secret? They have to go with him to Florida for an Easter break mission trip. Will they be able to mend fences and get along? Take a trip to Little Havana as the students and teachers learn together lessons in humility and the importance of sharing God's love.

Up North in Michigan

In my books going "up north" happens a lot. When I hear of friends camping in Bay City it makes me laugh because I live right near Bay City.

This picture shows why it IS up north for many.

Kat teaches Rebecca how to dive

In the book I am writing, Enough Kindness to Fill an Empty Heart," Rebecca asks a couple classmates to show her how to dive. Kat stops Rebecca from going right to the high dive at Andersen Pool and tells her she needs to start on the side of the pool first.

Here is a video showing how to properly learn how to dive. Make sure you always have someone with you. Only dive if you know for sure you are in the deep end of the pool. Safety first!