A Taste of Heaven

I love that the Creator of Heaven and Earth cares about the tiniest little things...

My daughter, Kelsey, and I had been planning on doing some cooking tomorrow afternoon but I haven't been able to find this one cookbook that has all of our family recipes, but more importantly––all of Mom's handwritten recipes in it. It's a cookbook/scrapbook that Kels made for me after Mom passed away last year.

All of my cookbooks are still boxed up from when we moved in May. I know, I know... I've been on deadline and have been wingin' it in the kitchen. But with the holidays approaching and the Girls Bake Off Kels and I have planned for tomorrow, I've spent a chunk of the day just looking for that one cookbook. Wouldn't you know it, I've found every other stinkin' box of books in this house, but that one.

Just a few minutes ago, I came upstairs and looked one last time in my closet, thinking the box might be in there. No go. I stood there, knowing I needed to be writing (another deadline approaching) and whispered, "Lord, this is so inconsequential in comparison to everything else going on in the world right now. This is not even a problem, it's just a request. And a small one. But if you could help me find that cookbook, I'd so appreciate it. Because I'd love to make Mom's recipes with Kels tomorrow, and to taste Mom's fabulous cakes and goodies again."

As I left the closet, I felt a nudge. I kid you not.

I went straight down to the garage, over to the 'tool side' (where I had not been looking because only tools are over there). I followed that nudge inside me over to a cabinet, opened up the door, and saw a box on the shelf next to the bottom, shoved all the way to the back. I had to move a boat load of tools and junk to get to it, but guess what the label on the box said: Cookbooks/Laundry Room.

I opened up the box and...

There it was. Near the bottom. The cookbook! Shoved full of Mom's recipes and notes and pictures that Kelsey has added for me.

I feel like I've not only found the cookbook, but I've had a taste of Heaven. And it's incredibly sweet.





One more thing... The picture below was on top of the cookbooks when I opened the box. It's special to me because Mom had a plaque in her kitchen saying very much the same thing (Live, Laugh, Love).

I don't know how all these things work, but I have a feeling that Mom had a little something to do with my finding this cookbook tonight too. As I opened that box and realized what it contained, I felt a thread from Heaven tugging on my heart. And I just know Mom was at the other end.

Thank you, Jesus, for caring about the little things. And for giving me a greater longing than ever for my forever home.

Now...let the Girls Bake Off begin! 

Today is Talk Like Jane Austen Day

Did you know that today, October 30, is Talk Like Jane Austen Day?

Neither did I until I read a fabulous interview on Rachel McRae's LifeWay Blog with none other than Julie Klassen who does indeed write like Jane Austen. If you love Regency novels then you must check out Julie's. They're captivating.

I really enjoyed Lady of Milkweed Manor and loved The Silent Governess. Which, incidentally, won the 2010 Christy Award for Best Historical. High praise indeed!

Check out the interview, and start talkin' like Jane! Or should I say begin speaking thusly?

And should you need an example... Oh I love this movie!

Dishin' Dirt

Author Trish Perry and I are chatting over here today and I'm dishing some dirt on Robin Lee Hatcher and Deborah Raney. Plus you have a chance to win a copy of Within My Heart, my latest release. 

You're invited, and if you know more dirt on Robin and Deb, then please, by all means...do tell!

Animals Among Us

In my post last week over at Writes of Passage, Judy Miller asked about the elephant and giraffe that had somehow sneaked their way into one of the pictures of fall around our house. I told her I'd share about them this week, along with some of the other animals lurking around our home, tucked beneath plants and window sills and tables, and nestled on hearths.

"Raffy," the giraffe (I know…how very original) was Mom's. She bought him to match her sofa, which we lovingly nicknamed her "Safari Sofa." And with good reason...

I hope you can see the print but in case you can't, it's got elephants and cheetahs and a bird that (I think) is a toucan (?).  Mom assured me that there was a giraffe somewhere in there, but as of yet I haven't found him. Maybe he's hiding beneath a cushion. And yes, I inherited the Safari Sofa and love it! It's what I cozy up in when watching Dancing with the Stars (speaking of...did anyone see that last night? Loved it! And sure hope Bristol stays! I used all my votes on that girl!).

Here's a statue of Jack that Mom got me when Jack first came to live with us. He was so tiny, about this size!

Next is our elephant, Granby. Joe and the kids and I found Granby years back when we were vacationing in Grand Lake, Colorado (near another town named Granby). Then there's Diego, who we adopted while at Sea World in San Diego. Next is a fun little black bear we found foraging in the woods while we hiked the Rocky Mtns in Breckenridge, CO, again many years ago. His name, as I'm sure you can guess by now, is Brecken. Then there's a mouse we picked up at some really fun place in Orlando. Can't remember the name of the amusement park, but we decided to call the mouse Mickey.

Next is ceramic dog I painted when I was...oh gracious...probably nine or ten years old (so yes, Judy, it's an antique). It's fashioned after Duchess, our sweet little Manchester Terrier we had as I was growing up. Next is an elephant from Jerusalem from Mom and Dad's travels. And lastly is a Lion and a Lamb I picked up some time back. 

I know the exact phrase "and a Lion will lie down with a Lamb" isn't in the Bible (though variations of those animals, along with others, are found in verses in Isaiah), but I love the peace that this little pair represents. The peace we have in Christ, and the peace that awaits us in our forever home.

When I glance at these animals, I think of people I love and fun times we shared, and of great memories like drinking from punch bowls and "buzzing" opponents while playing Taboo, laughing so hard we cried, and those are bits and pieces of this life I'll carry inside me forever.

So, do you have any critters around your house? Any little friends or statues or such that remind you of how very blessed you are?

And one final picture... Will the real Jack Alexander please stand up? 

Definition of Marketing

My husband (who's a marketing guy) shared the Dilbert comic with me this morning. So funny! I've always loved Dilbert, and what the strip says today is so true. Marketing is such an elusive thing. . .

While I think we can do better than liquor and guessing (most days anyway), one thing's for sure––word of mouth is still the best marketing around. Nothing else like it. So thanks, friends, for the word of mouth you give my books.

(To view all of the Dilbert cartoons, click below, then click each tiny square beneath the strip to see each frame.)

Free Kindle Book by Nancy Mosier

Fabulous book! Check it out here. And remember, you don't have to have a Kindle to get the free Kindle downloads. 

Here's a summary of Mozarts's Sister:

In the shadow of her famous sibling, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, older sister Nannerl was perhaps no less talented but devoid of the opportunities of the time because of her sex and a controlling parent. As told by Nannerl in the first person, a demanding father channels his love and energies into his young son. Although Nannerl performs, her father denies her a chance at fame—and perhaps more important, the lion's share of his attention and love.

Giveaway time!

It's been too long since I've held a giveaway! And do I have some books for you!

I attended a booksigning last week at LifeWay with Kaye Dacus and Nancy Rue (pics here), and before heading out I bought their newest releases (Love Remains and The Reluctant Prophet) to share with two lucky winners.



If you're interested in being included in the drawing for these books (that will take place next Tuesday), just leave a comment on this blog along with your email. Please keep in mind that due to postage costs, we only mail books to U.S.A. addresses. Tip: List your email like this to keep those pesky spiders from getting you: tameraalexander[at]gmail[dot]com

And if you'd like to see what trouble I got into yesterday, join me over at Writes of Passage.  Here's a hint:

Free Kindle Book by Suzanne Woods Fisher

If you love Amish fiction, then check this out! And remember, you don't have to own a Kindle to read Kindle books. Just download the application (and book) from Amazon.com.


Here's a summary of The Choice:


With a vibrant, fresh style Suzanne Woods Fisher brings readers into the world of a young Amish woman torn between following the man she loves--or joining the community of faith that sustains her, even as she questions some of the decisions of her elders.




Her choice begins a torrent of change for her and her family, including a marriage of convenience to silent Daniel Miller. Both bring broken hearts into their arrangement--and secrets that have been held too long. Filled with gentle romance, The Choice opens the world of the Amish--their strong communities, their simple life, and their willingness to put each other first.

Adorable video

So cute! (And if you can't see the full screen, click here)

The Moral Premise

If you're a writer, then here's a must-read post for you, and a recommendation on a fabulous blog to follow.

Yesterday on Seekerville, the Seeker gals hosted Dr. Stanley Williams, the author of The Moral Premise. The discussion was enlightening and informative, and I think you'll benefit from it as much as I did.

I read The Moral Premise twice last year and used Dr. Williams' guidelines (wrote a moral premise statement for WMH) as I wrote Within My Heart. That statement helped in so many ways.

Check out The Moral Premise on Seekerville!

Cold-brewed Coffee, the BEST!

Headed to Starbucks for an iced latte? Turn yourself right around and head back home this minute, because I've got a home brew that'll rival anything you could get there.

Actually, Christy Jordan from Southern Plate has the brew. I'm just sharing it with you. And it's "cold-brewed," right on your kitchen counter. How much easier does it get than that?

Here's the recipe:

Cold Brew Coffee

• 1 Cup ground coffee
• 32 ounce container (1 quart)
• Strainer
• Large basket type coffee filters

Place ground coffee in container, fill with cold water. Cover and let sit on your kitchen counter for twelve to fifteen hours. Place strainer over large bowl and put coffee filter inside. Slowly pour over about half of the coffee and let sit until strained. Replace filter and repeat.

To make regular coffee: place equal parts coffee concentrate and water in cup and heat.

To make iced coffee: Place equal parts concentrate and milk in glass. Add ice, sweetened as desired. You may find my preference for iced coffee a bit strong for you so leave room to add some water to weaken it if need be!

Using a 1/2 cup of the coffee concentrate, I add 3/4 cup of skim milk, three Truvia packets (I love it sweet!), some ice, then top if off with Light Whipped Cream (15 calories per two tablespoons). And...

Voila! It's the perfect mid-morning or any-time-of-the-day pick-me-up! And so easy!

This cold-brewed coffee has the full-bodied flavor of espresso without the bitterness, and ahem...goes wonderfully well with dark chocolate.

I shared the recipe with Deb Raney yesterday, and she's already making hers as we speak. Deb, I look forward to seeing how you like it!

You can get the full "how to" on making this cold-brewed coffee from Christy's website. She gives great step-by-step instructions on all her recipes, along with pictures, which is super. Love that woman's website, and her cookin'!

Now that I'm caffeined up, it's back to writing!

P.S. Thank you, Sometimes Sweet Karen Ball, for the B&H beverage mug. It's fabulous. And totally leak-proof!

LifeWay Friends

Thanks to everyone who stopped by LifeWay on Saturday. We had a great time, and I had a blast visiting and chatting with you all.

I signed with authors and good friends Kaye Dacus and Nancy Rue (pictured here)

Me with Bonnie (I'm hugging her), and her sisters Venetia and Roz (I first met these lovely gals at a Fayetteville, TN signing a couple years back). Thanks, sweet sisters, for taking the time to reconnect again. I loved seeing you, and am certain our mothers are visiting in heaven.

Betty and Sherri, two dear lifelong friends from Atlanta who now live in Nashville.

Sweet friend Gayle DeSalles 

Friends Ruth and Esther (and to the back left, you can see Nancy Rue's motorcycle that she and her husband rode to the signing)

The adorable and oh-so-talented Rachel McRae (one of LifeWay's book buyers, and blogger extraordinaire. Check her blog out here.)

Rachel and author Nancy Rue (such fun gals!) 

Rachel, Nancy and Gayle

Me with LifeWay pals Donna and Kayleen

Thanks, LifeWay at CoolSprings in Franklin, TN for hosting us!

I posted today over at Writes of Passage. Come and join us.

LifeWay Booksigning this Saturday in Franklin, TN

This Saturday from 2PM-4PM, I'll be at the CoolSprings LifeWay Christian Store in Franklin along with authors Kaye Dacus and Nancy Rue. We'll be chatting, signing books, sharing chocolate, and we'd love to see you there!

And don't forget to print out your LifeWay coupons!

Click here for a preview of sales for that day, October 9th only, as well as a list of authors who will be signing at LifeWay stores across the country.

LifeWay Christian Store, Franklin, TN

1725 Galleria Boulevard

Store Phone: 615-771-9050

View Map

Free Terri Blackstock Book on Kindle

Terri Blackstock's recent book, Intervention, is now being offered FREE on Kindle for a limited time. It's a fabulous story, and I highly encourage you to take advantage of this promo. Once a certain number of downloads is reached, the offer will be removed. So make haste!

Here's a quick blurb on the book:
Prolific suspense author Blackstock (Double Minds) begins with every parent's nightmare: a drug-addicted teenage daughter is dragged to a rehab facility. When the interventionist is found dead and the teen is missing, mother Barbara Covington tries to find her daughter before police can arrest the girl for murder. Blackstock's many fans will be pleased, and this story will also speak to families dealing with addicted children.

Click to download.

Newest Christian Fiction ONLINE MAGAZINE

I'm lovin' who's featured on the cover of the October 2010 Christian Fiction Online Magazine. My fabulous writing critique partner…Ms. Deb Raney!

Check it out! Each issue is packed with great articles, news on the latest novels from your favorite authors, and up-to-date industry happenings. And this issue contains a fun and insightful interview with Deb. But if you want the real dirt, come to me. I'll dish!