Ah, Flowers!

My honey and I spent Sunday weeding, pruning, picking, and planting. What a lovely way to spend a day together. I love this time of year. We can be outdoors together enjoying nature, each other, God's provision in our garden, and then sleep like babies after a good day in the sunshine. I love flowers so much I even married one––Charles Flowers, that is––my husband of 26 years. Life is sweet and we are grateful. My prayer today is a quote from Stormie Omartian: "Lord, speak to my heart all that You want me to know."

Christian Booksellers Convention Update

I had a great time in Denver, walking the convention floor to see all the new books being published, including mine! I also attended the Pearl Girls Tea and was a guest speaker. Please check out this worthy ministry at www.pearlgirls.info. The founder is Margaret McSweeney, compiling editor of a new book of touching personal experience stories from a variety of women. All proceeds will go to two nonprofit organizations, one to help dig wells in Africa for people in need of fresh, clean water and for a group in Chicago that houses mothers and children who are fleeing from domestic abuse. More info available on the web site. Pictures here include one of me with my writing student Renetta, author Camy Tang, my friend and romance writer at her book signing, and my friend Jeanne, recipient of the Pearl Girls special prize.

Fight, Love, Live (FILOLI)

On Wednesday Charles and I and our friends Carol and Don visited the beautiful FILOLI Mansion and Gardens built in 1917 about 30 miles south of San Francisco. The estate has a fascinating history and the grounds are exceptional. So if you're ever out this way, I recommend putting it on your list. The highlight for me was dancing with my honey in the stately ballroom. We didn't have our dancing shoes on but we pretended! We did just as well in our Nikes.