Those bygone days...

When did it begin…this fascination with the past? The earliest I can remember experiencing an attraction for days gone by is when I was nine years old and we were on a month long trip to Europe.

Traveling around Europe for a month, you say? At the age of nine? You must have grown up in a privileged family. While I was blessed in many, many ways, I would hasten to add that there were eight of us (four adults, four children) traveling around Europe in a VW Bug for a month. I was stuffed in the cubbyhole in the back.

My older brother, my mom, and grandmother were in the backseat (my dad had to stay home and work, bless him). My uncle and aunt and their two toddlers rode in the front, and then all of the luggage was strapped to the top. Does that give the month long venture new perspective?

Still, to me…it was heaven. And it’s where I trace my roots of my love for history. . .

Continued over at Southern BelleView where I'm guest blogging today. Join us!

And yes, that's me at age 9, getting onboard one of those glass bottomed boats in Germany. Heaven help me, I was tilting my head to the side even then... 

Creamy Praline Pecan Pie

I posted some pictures from a Cajun Shrimp Boil on Facebook yesterday and several of you asked for the recipe for the Creamy Praline Pecan Pie. My cousin, Gay, and her daughter Teesha, shared this recipe with me some time back but I hadn't made it yet. Why on earth did I wait so long! Oh my goodness, it's swoon worthy. Here we go...

You'll need:
1 Baked Pie Shell (I use the Pillsbury crusts that you just roll out and slip into the pie plate, so easy!)

8 oz Cream Cheese
8 oz Cool Whip
1 cup powdered sugar

Blend the previous three ingredients well with a mixer then chill as your baked pie shell is cooling.

For the topping, you'll need:
2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped (I left some of my whole as you can see below)
1 cup coconut (from the bag, not frozen)
1/2 cup butter, melted
Caramel Sauce (like you use on ice cream)

Stir the first three ingredients together, spread on a slightly greased cookie sheet, then drizzle with Caramel Sauce. Put that in the oven and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until brown (watch, so it doesn't burn).

As that's cooling, take your cream cheese mixture from the fridge and spread that into your pie crust...

Then spoon the cooled pecan/coconut topping over the cream cheese, drizzle more Caramel Sauce on the top (can you have too much caramel? I don't think so), and you're done!

Keep refrigerated until ready to eat, which won't be long once you taste that topping. Truly one of my favorite pies now. To make and eat.

Hope you enjoy! And let me know if you make this. I'll be sure and tell Gay and Teesha.

Now join me over at Writes of Passage today to see pics from my LifeWay book signing this past Saturday, and to see what questions I'm most often asked at book signings...

Crusin' with some writing buddies

I had the awesome privilege of traveling with a group of my writing buddies last week, and we had a marvelous time. Here's a quick glimpse of our capers at sea.

(The full album––and I do mean full––can be viewed on my Facebook Page!)

Me and Robin Lee Hatcher, my rooming buddy

Colleen Coble and husband Dave as the ship was about to set sail

Rene Gutteridge and Susan Meissner, dining partners one evening

Robin and her Minnie Mouse Wedding Ears 

(more info on this in the Facebook Album)

(Robin is flanked by the lovely Colleen Coble (L) and Denise Hunter (R)

Trish Perry, Virginia Smith, Gayle Roper, Robin and me

Delicious "views" of the food

Isn't it amazing what creations the chefs come up with?

And lastly, me and Robin with Terri Blackstock

As fun as it was to travel, I'm thrilled to be back home and writing again. And to be stateside as A Lasting Impression hits the shelves! Hope you enjoy this first Belmont Mansion novel, and I'd love to hear from you once you've read it!

My shoes...could be yours

How tall is TOO tall? THAT was the question I should have asked myself when buying this oh-so-lovely pair of Nine West shoes on-line a couple of months ago.

Aren't they pretty? So girly. I love them! I first saw them on Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, and she looked so cute! See? 

Adore The Pioneer Woman website. If you haven't 

checked it out yet, treat yourself!

I read her post on her blog that day, looked closer at her shoes and thought, "I could so wear those!" The moment overtook me, I became drunk on shoe envy, and rapturous infatuation swept me away. I purchased those sandals faster than you can say "But how tall are the shoes with the platforms?" (Tsk, tsk, minor details)

And then...they arrived! 

I opened the box. I looked at the shoes. They spoke to me. I tried them on. Perfect fit! I was in love. Then I tried to walk. Wow. I was tall. I mean really tall. I'm guessing I'm nearly 7'9'' in these shoes. Okay, not for real, but you know what I mean. I no longer need a step ladder to change the recessed lighting in the kitchen. 

Anyway, long story made longer, I've decided that as pretty as these shoes are, they're just a tad too tall for me. But the 30-day return policy has expired so I can't send them back, and that's where "Want a pair of Nine west shoes?" comes in. 

I'd love to send these shoes to someone who will give them a good home. My treat (and it needs to be a U.S. mailing address, sorry international friends). But you need to have a "sturdy" foot (like I do). The shoes are size 9 1/2, and they're pretty much true to size. So if this strikes your fancy, leave a comment on this post saying you're interested in having the shoes and I'll draw a name next Saturday (October 15th in celebration of the release of A Lasting Impression) and I'll get them shipped out to you. 

The only agreement the winner needs to make is to send me a pic of those shoes on their pretty feet! : )

And to see where I am this week––and to see some pics––visit writespassage!

*********

And the winner is...bekahjane


Bekahjane, if you'll contact me through my CONTACT PAGE on my website, and send me your address, we'll mail your new shoes. Congrats, friend! 

And remember, we want to see YOUR feet in these shoes! : )

Would you like to write for Women of Faith Fiction?

If yes, then check out this great opportunity! Exciting!

If you have a manuscript that you can have ready for submission by January 31, 2012, why not consider doing this? One grand prize winner will receive: FREE Bookstore Advantage publishing package courtesy of WestBow Press, including the option of having your book picked up by Thomas Nelson. How cool is that?

I was honored to write the first historical (The Inheritance) for the Women of Faith Fiction line and had such a great experience. So...what's keepin' you? Check this opportunity out today!

Full contest details here.

And now, I'm headed from my hotel room in Miami to a "meet & greet" with some writing buddies downstairs. Tomorrow we leave on a 5-day cruise and I'm looking forward to some relaxing time with friends, (hopefully) beautiful weather, and writing on a deck somewhere, ocean breeze in my face. I'll be sure and post pics soon!

The Lovin' Oven Bakery

What a treat! For woman AND dog!

I saw a tweet from friend and author Angie Hunt today and followed the trail! And this is where I ended up...

The Lovin' Oven Bakery

Angie's initial post kicked off a wonderful adventure in baking, and I love to bake so this is right up my alley. If you love to bake too (or just love to dish on baking), join us over at The Lovin' Oven Bakery.

Back to writing! And to my utter shock...my heroine suddenly has an urge to whip up something in the kitchen!

I'm posting today over at Writes of Passage too, and I'm blaming everything on the caffeine. Join us!  

Look at what my editors sent me today...

Charlene Patterson and Karen Schurrer

My extraordinary editors at Bethany House Publishers

They're holding the first copy of A Lasting Impression! Pre-orders ship within two weeks. For you readers out there, I sure hope you enjoy this one!

Read the first two chapters of ALI, my treat!

Lovely time at the Biltmore House

My husband and I got away this past week to the Biltmore House in Asheville, NC, for some long overdue time together and a belated anniversary celebration. Lovely trip and we had a marvelous time stepping back into history.

Here's a sneak peek at our trip...

**Click to view more pictures**