Happy Birthday America!!

I finally finished a few things I've been working on and this first pillow is just in time for the BIG holiday here in the states tomorrow. I had stitched this last yr. and wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do w/it, and since I'm not real good about thinking outside the box at times, I ended up w/another pillow.  But at least I tried something just a bit different ~ I used a dark red piping to give it a little more detail and make it 'pop' just a little more.  I used Fine Ariosa Linen that I hand-dyed first.  I am totally in love w/this fabric!!  (yes, I do sell it in my ETSY shop).

 Here's another little project I've been working on, but haven't quite finished it yet.  I still need to bind it around the outer edges, etc.  But at least it's almost done. ha

 This little pillow I finished awhile back and forgot to show it.  It is stitched on 30ct. Straw linen and I changed out the colors on it for a more prim look.  I backed it w/the gold/black cotton print you see in the background and made it into a simple pin pillow.

 I needed to write up a couple of book reviews as well, so I will add them to this post.  I receive these books free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
This book by author Leslie Gould is one I had a little trouble with in the beginning, as there were so many characters introduced early on, that I found it a bit confusing as to who was who and how they were all related.
 It is the second book in a series called, 'The Courtships of Lancaster County' so maybe if I had read the first book it would not have been so confusing to me.
 The author does a good job of moving the story line right along w/its modern-day Romeo/Juliet type of story w/out the sad ending.
Two Amish families have been upset w/each other for yrs., but no one knows why and the two main characters(Addie/Jonathon) fall instantly in love. They try their best to reconcile their families so they can be together but Addie's family wants her to marry the boring Philip Eicher, and tries very hard to keep Addie/Jonathon apart.
 Several of the minor characters annoyed me because of the way they treated Addie and took advantage of her, but it did make the characters seem very real w/all of their flaws. I loved the character of Jonathon and what an awesome Godly man he was to Addie in how he treated/adored her.
I have never been a big fan of an author writing in the first person and this one is written in that fashion.
All in all, it was a good Amish fiction romance and a nice summer read.

(sorry I just somehow deleted the picture of the book)

Another book I read is a NON-fiction, called 'Angels by my Side' by Betty Malz, who had authored 10 books before her passing. This book recounts the true story of Betty herself, along w/many other stories about people who've had real-life encounters w/angels. 

 I found this book fascinating from the first chapter to the last, as Betty writes about these experiences.  Betty, herself was declared dead for 28 minutes before returning to life.  She begins by telling about what happened to her during those 28 minutes, in great detail about going up to Heaven and what all transpired while she was there.  The yrs. following her encounter, she met many others who told her their amazing encounters w/angelic beings.  Betty gives Biblical insight as to how these angels help humans in their time of need from the Bible's perspective. 

If you want to know more about how God uses angels to help His children, then this is the perfect book for you!  I highly recommend it!!  Only 121 pgs. long, it is a very quick, but fascinating read!

  P.S. I hope everyone here in the states has a wonderful 4th of July holiday tomorrow!!
P.S.S.   Don't forget to sign up for my GIVEAWAY if you haven't already!!  Click here to find out all about my Summer Fun Mystery Giveaway.  There will be TWO winners and you can choose what category you'd like to win!

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