Really... Football & Spiritual Insights?

Yes, that's a picture of legendary football coach Tom Landry. And no, you haven't landed in the middle of ESPN by mistake. Bear with me…

This past weekend, Michael Easley, one of our preaching ministers, referenced hall-of-fame NFL coach Tom Landry in his sermon. And I want to thank my husband, Joe, who's been a life-long fan of the game (I enjoy football, but hey...it's no Dancing with the Stars), for clueing me in on some of Mr. Landry's history.

While still a player/coach in the 1950s, Landry invented the 4-3 defense, which still remains as today's standard in the NFL. He also coached the Dallas Cowboys from 1960-1988 and here are some of his pearls of wisdom:

• “The secret to winning is constant, consistent management."
• “Leadership is getting someone to do what they don’t want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve.”
• “I’ve learned that something constructive comes from every defeat.”
• “Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.”
• “Today, you have 100% of your life left.”

I especially love that last one. 

The particular nugget of Landry wisdom that our pastor, Michael, shared with us was one I needed to hear:

• "Don't worry about winning the game, just make the first down."

How many times have I been so caught up in life, in the middle of a crisis, or a loss, or a struggle, or even in the midst of a fabulous time of life, but my head was spinning with everything there was to do. How on earth would I get through it?

Just make the first down.

Landry knew that if his players could make that first down--if they achieved those smaller incremental goals--that the game objective would take care of itself. So it is with life.

What's on your plate right now? Is a loved one sick? Is it a terminal illness? Are you waiting on test results to know the answer to that question? Are you working in a job you loathe? Or at the very least, feel "stuck" in? Are you worried about one of your children? Whether they'll ever be potty-trained? Or be able to be dropped off at school without clinging to your leg, crying their little eyes out? Or is your child older, and you're wondering whether you'll ever have the relationship with them that you always hoped you would? Or that they'll have the relationship with God that you daily pray they will? 

After a rather rough past year, I'm at a much better place now. But I got here one...step...at...a...time. I remember thinking to myself, "Just get through this day. Just write this next scene. Or the next page. Or the next paragraph. Just cook the next meal. Just get through it (whatever it was)."

And I did. God brought me through and my heart is more attuned toward Home than ever before. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you might remember me sharing a picture of Mom's violet that had been sorely neglected during her illness and then in passing months when Dad lived alone. Here's a picture of the violet when I brought it home to my house this past May.

Here's a picture of that same violet today...

Doesn't this say it all. And this is exactly how I feel inside. Like I'm finally coming back to life again after a very long dry spell. Granted, at my age, perhaps without so many blooms... But, you get the point.

Remember, no matter where you are, focus on making the first down. Whatever it is. And know you're not making it alone. Jesus is there. And don't worry about winning the game either. He's already won it (see John 16:33).

Have you subscribed to CLASH Entertainment's Verse of the Day yet? If not, what on earth are you waiting for!? It's such an encouragement! And it's free from CLASH Entertainment!

Click here to subscribe.

Cajun Shrimp Boil, here we come!

Last night on Facebook, I posted a note about making Creamy Pecan Pralines, two Pumpkin Custard Pies with Bourbon, and a Peanut Butter Cream Pie for a Cajun Shrimp Boil we're hosting at our home tonight. People asked for recipes, which I'm happy to share!

I got them from none other than the fabulous Emeril Lagasse, so follow me over to Foodnetwork.com (LOVE that site!) and I'll happily share.

Click the dessert to go directly to the recipe:
Creamy Pecan Pralines, Pumpkin Custard Pie, Peanut Butter Cream Pie

Enjoy! And now, off to finish getting things ready!

Like Dandelion Dust, the movie

I just received word that a movie based on Karen Kingsbury's novel LIKE DANDELION DUST hits theaters tomorrow in limited release. Here are details...

Adapted from the novel by NY Times bestselling Karen Kingsbury, Like Dandelion Dust stars Mira Sorvino (Academy Award winner) and Barry Pepper (Golden Globe nominee).  It’s about a mother who gave her child up for adoption and then tried to get him back.  Yes, the child is the rope in a legal and parental tug-of-war . . . and yes, you’ll need four Kleenex and somebody you love beside you, but . . . you’ll float out of the theater smiling.  

“Like Dandelion Dust” won 20-plus “Best Film” and “Best Actor” awards at pre-release film festivals from CA to NY, and USA Today heralds it as “the next ‘Blind Side.’” A list of theaters screening the film is at:  www.likedandeliondust.com.  Click on the “theater” tab to find the nearest location.  

A film trailer link is below that was #1 on Fandango for weeks (if clicking the graphic doesn't work, click HERE to be taken directly to the website):

I'm planning on grabbing someone I love and going to see it this weekend. Hope you will too!

All finches go to Heaven, right?

It was sad. I walked out onto the deck Monday and there lay a sweet little Golden Finch, dead. Apparently he/she (I didn't look that closely) flew into one of the deck windows. Keeping Jack at bay, I gently nudged the little guy to make sure it wasn't just temporarily stunned. That's happened before... 

A bird flew into my office window at our last house and I thought he was dead, only to nudge him and he shot straight up into the air. Scared me to death! I'm sure he didn't appreciate my being "up close and personal" either. But I digress…

I wrapped the sweet little finch in a paper towel, planning to bury him later, and laid him on the deck table. My cell phone rang so I ran inside, only to come back minutes later and the finch was gone! The paper towel was empty! I was so excited…until I saw Jack with the finch in his mouth, headed down the back stairs.

Needless to say, I quickly rescued the bird for a proper burial. It was my daughter on the phone and she would never have forgiven me if I'd merely "disposed" of said bird, so I set it up on the grill, safe from Jack's reach (though not his curiosity), which my daughter then said was equally as disturbing in its own right. 

But on the grill the little fella stayed…

 
Jack and his "almost" new best friend

Lastly, here's Jack later that afternoon, doing what he does best. All curled up and ready to dream…of Golden Finches, I'm sure.

Oh, and Hurley, the finch, named posthumously, will be buried in a private service this afternoon. Sorry, family only.

P.S. to Patti Jo Moore...you asked for pictures of Jack. Here you go, lady! And watch your mail. A little something "smooth and velvety" is on its way. And ah...no, it's not a finch.  

Candy can't be trusted

My Dove Dark Chocolate Candy lied to me the other day. Flat out lied! And I'm still getting over it. Read about it here on Writes of Passage.

We're having a party over there! Join us!

Skechers, Tacky Daughters, & Free Books

I'm just off the treadmill from walking 2+ miles in my brand new Skechers Shape-Ups! So far, I love them. Very cushy and my legs definitely feel more "worked out" than usual. I won't tell you what my daughter said when I first tried them on at Off Broadway this afternoon, but it wasn't nice. : {

Hmmm.... Now that I look at them, Kelsey's comment may not have been that far off. : }

Anyway, I want to tell you about a couple of chances to win a free book...


First, Sequence of Continuous Delights is hosting me for an interview and is giving away a copy of Within My Heart, Book 3 in the Timber Ridge Reflections series. Click if interested in signing up.



Then there's the giveaway that we do on my website each month. This month giveaway is for a copy of Beyond This Moment, Book 2 in the Timber Ridge Reflections series. Click for more details.




I'm off to finish a scene in the book I'm writing right now, then to bed to read more of Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado. I'm hearing God's whisper on nearly every page, and am being reminded again of how very well He knows us, and loves us, and made each of us for a specific purpose, with specific gifts for this specific time in life on this earth. If you haven't read it yet, I invite you to!

Hope you're having a great weekend...

Favorite Healthy Snack

I'm trying to eat a little healthier these days and wanted to share a current healthy snack I'm enjoying. Here's a pic:

Oh wait, nope. This is the veggie plate I had a Dotson's Cafe in downtown Franklin this week. Delicious! And can mostly count as vegetables except for the creamed corn and the cornbread muffins and the butter and the butter and sugar in the Sweet Potato Cassorole. But still...

Okay, here's the healthy snack...

Wait again. Nope...this was the homemade Banana Pudding, warm from the oven, that I enjoyed after the veggie lunch. If ever you're in historic downtown Franklin, run by Dotson's for a good home cooked meal. Dotson's and Puckett's are two local Franklin favorites.

Okay. Third time's a charm, right? Here's that healthy snack I've been enjoying lately...

Yogurt with Dry Roasted Edamame. Yum! And the Pineapple Upside Down Cake flavor (shown above) is a favorite!

So what's your healthy snack these days? Your leaner nutrition of choice?

More Civil War Era Clothing

I posted more pictures today over at Writes of Passage too, so be sure and click over there and take a peek.

Here's a continuation of the pictures I posted from this past weekend. And thanks again to Phillip and Janine Whiteman (PNJW Collections) for loaning their display to the Belmont Mansion, and for allowing me to take pictures.

Man's Velvet Vest (beautiful mauve and gray color)

Woman's Corset (click to read the detail on the card)

Women's Wrappers (worn at home and even as they were receiving "familiar" guests)

Girl's Bonnet

Men's Stock Tie (with spring collar to be adjustable)

(Phillip, one of the owners, demonstrates how the men's stock tie springs open)

Woman's parasol (with beautiful iridescent material on the inside)

Women's Undersleeves

Men's Embroidered Slippers

It's wonderful to be able to see clothing like this up close and personal as I'm writing stories set in this era. Plus Polly, my college roommate, and I had some great girl time! And ate at McDougal's. Yum! But so much for that corset...

If you live in Nashville and appreciate the Civil War historical period

Then you need to get over to the Belmont Mansion tomorrow, Sunday, the 12th. It's the last day for the Civil War Clothing exhibit being presented by PNJW Collectors. Here are the details from the Belmont Mansion link:

Belmont Mansion - PNJW Cothing Exhibit

An outstanding nineteenth century clothing exhibit will be visiting Belmont Mansion from September 9-12. The PNJW collection is thought to be the largest private collection of Civil War-era civilian clothing on display in the U.S.

This unique exhibit, of over 300 items, is normally seen only in state and national parks; however, it is making an appearance in Nashville for one weekend only, at the Belmont Mansion.

Visitors will have the incredible opportunity to closely examine the historic items. The amazing collection will include 15 women’s dresses and over 10 men’s garments, as well as a large collection of bonnets.

In addition, clothing accessories such as jewelry, parasols, shawls, shoes, boots and a collection of early photographs, including daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, carte-de-vistes, and tintypes will be on display. Serious researchers are also welcome to closely examine the artifacts and photography for personal use is welcomed.

Collection owners Phillip and Janine Whiteman, of Atlanta, have been researching and exhibiting their collection for several years. They are members of the Costume Society of America. In 2001 they were named Volunteers of the Year at the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Mark Brown, the Executive Director of the Belmont Mansion states, “This is the most comprehensive and outstanding collection of clothing from the mid-1800s that I have ever seen. I am thrilled that they have agreed to exhibit at Belmont! It is such a rare opportunity to examine such a wide variety of clothing close up.”

The Belmont Mansion has long been a fixture in Nashville history. Built by Joseph and Adelicia Acklen in 1853, Belmont Mansion is considered to be the most elaborate domestic interior built in antebellum Tennessee, and is today the largest house museum in Tennessee. Adelicia Acklen was one of the wealthiest women in America, and Belmont Mansion is one of the nineteenth century homes where the story revolves around a woman.

The PNJW clothing exhibit will run from September 9th to 12th. Touring Hours are from 10am to 4pm. Admission for the clothing exhibit is $5 for adults. All students are free with a college ID. The exhibit is included in the $10 regular adult admission for those persons wishing to take a normal house tour. For more information, please visit the Belmont Mansion website or call 615-460-5459.

Tammy here again: Here are some of my own pics I snapped today...and remember, these are all period dresses. Not reproductions. 

Beautiful display of gowns with cards describing the type of dress and its defining characteristics.

Beautiful Wedding Gown (of course, I'd need three of them in order to wrap around my waist! Sheesh...)

The clothing display is set up in the Grand Salon of the Belmont Mansion. Lovely!

Me and my dear friend (and college roommate) Polly Alexander (no relation, we both just happened to marry "Alexanders".

I'll post more pics this week. But truly, if you're in the Nashville area, do try to go if you can. You won't be disappointed! And plan on a tour of the Belmont mansion too. Tell them Tammy sent you. Belmont is a beautiful antebellum mansion, and...the setting of my next three books!

Fun time in Roanoke

I had a great time with a group of gals from Roanoke, VA last week and want to thank them again for inviting me to "virtually attend" their book club meeting. 

(L to R on sofa) Tina Palmer, Karen Palmer.

Standing (L to R) is Nellie Smith, Joy Freeman, Tara Smith.

Thanks, ladies, for choosing to read The Inheritance. I loved what you shared about your reading experiences and about who Wyatt Caradon reminded you of (Tom Selleck, your ears should've been burning). Tina, I hope you enjoy From a Distance! 

For more information on having me join your group for a Virtual Book Club Meeting, please contact me through my website.

I have a stalker!

Well, sort of . . . 

Check out Edgy Inspirational Romance's review of Within My Heart, and then the interview following on Outside the Author's Studio, which was such fun. Thanks, Joy!

Here's a peek...

What's the last thing you threw away, Tamera?
A foil wrapper from a Dove Dark Chocolate candy. I keep a bag of them stashed in the butler's pantry. Top right-hand drawer, in case you're ever here. But don't tell my husband. He's trying not to eat sugar. Of course, I'm supposed to be trying not to eat it too. But sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! Besides, chocolate feeds creativity, right?

Your brand of toothpaste?
Click to find out.

Jesus Calling

CBD.com is a great place to find the latest inspirational reads. And today, they're having a "Friday Special" that's featuring one of my favorite devotional books. It's entitled Jesus Calling (by Sarah Young).

Here's today's entry:

September 3

Let the dew of My Presence refresh your mind and heart. So many, many things vie for your attention in this complex world of instant communication. The world has changed enormously since I first gave command to be still and know that I am God. However, this timeless truth is essential for the well-being of your soul. As dew refreshes grass and flowers during the stillness of the night, so My Presence revitalizes you as you sit quietly with me.


A refreshed revitalized mind is able to sort out what is important and what is not. In its natural condition, your mind easily gets stuck on trivial matters. Like the spinning wheels of a car trapped in mud, the cogs of your brain spin impotently when you focus on a trivial thing. As soon as you start communicating with Me about the matter, your thoughts gain traction and you can move on to more important things. Communicate with me continually, and I will put My thoughts into your mind.


Psalm 46:10; Luke 10:39-42, 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NKJV)

After reading Jesus Calling, I went back to CBD.com and purchased a copy for both of our children, and for my dad too. It's a wonderful encouragement!

Blessings on your weekend. I'm off to write for the day, then to enjoy a relaxing extended weekend with family and friends. I hope you find a moment to refresh your mind and heart in Christ, and to surrender to Him the contents of your heart.

Interview with Francine Rivers

I just read a great interview with Francine Rivers on Jane Kirkpatrick's website. Francine offers revealing insights behind her latest two novels––Her Mother's Hope (which is fabulous) and  Her Daughter's Dream (which is at the top of TBR stack, if my daughter doesn't snag it first)! Enjoy!