Book Review: Red Ink, Extreme Devotion Series #3 by Kathi Macias

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/red-ink-extreme-devotions/kathi-macias/9781596692794/pd/692777#curr
Paperback $9.99

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Ink-Extreme-Devotion-Book/dp/1596692790
Paperback $10.23

http://kathimacias.com/

http://www.acfw.com/carol/2011_carol_awards_finalists

2011 Golden Scroll Book Awards Novel of Year

An interview with the author about Red Ink:
http://www.newhopedigital.com/index.php/2011/07/author-makes-connection-with-inspiration-for-red-ink/


Published October 2010 by New Hope Publishers
320 pages
Christian Fiction/China/Missionary/Persecution

Zhen-Li lives near Beijing, China. She married a Christian man and they had a son. Her parents are not Christian and have adamantly opposed her marriage and her conversion to Christianity. Zhen-Li feels she must live out her faith by telling others about Jesus, including teaching children. The Chinese government opposes such action. Yet, Zhen-Li must tell others about Yhu Yesu (Lord Jesus) no matter the cost.

This is a powerful book, because it demonstrates the verse, "For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10b
What Paul meant when he wrote that verse is that when we are weak, God in His mercy and grace gives us the strength to meet that Goliath of fears. Let go of what we as a human feel we can "handle" and give God full reign over "all things".

I have read all 4 of the Extreme Devotion series, by far Red Ink has been my favorite. The presence of the Holy Spirit is evident in reading about Zhen-Li. I've read that Zhen-Li was based on a real Christian journalist in China named Li Ying.

As I stated previously in my review of More Than Conquerors----the book is two-fold in its mission.
1. The power of prayer, and in that I include the power of prayer against the dark forces of the evil one.
2. Forsaking all, including life, for the sake of spreading the Gospel message.

In Zhen-Li's story the descriptions of her abuse, torment, and suffering is displayed more emotionally riveting than the other books in the series.

There are several other key characters in the story of Red Ink and not all of them are on the continent of China. They are brought in to the story to parallel that not all people that are in bondage are in a barbed wire, concrete prison.
There are also characters that remind us that no matter the age or condition of the individual, prayer is powerful!

I loved this book, loved, loved, loved it! 

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: The Deity of Christ Edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson

The Deity of Christ is apart of the Theology in Community series. The other books in this series are---
Suffering and the Goodness of God, The Glory of God.
The goal of this series is to take "key theological themes and apply them to contemporary concerns."
The Deity of Christ is not written by one individual but by several.
Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson are the editor's.
Contributing Author's:
Christopher W. Morgan
Robert A. Peterson
Alan W. Gomes
J. Nelson Jennings
Stephen J. Nichols
Raymond C. Ortlund Jr.
Stephen J. Wellum
Andreas J. Kostenberger
Gerald Bray
From the introduction: "The deity of Christ is vital to Christian faith and practice. If Jesus is not God incarnate, then Christianity is not true; if he is, then it is true. "

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Deity-Christ-Theology-Community/dp/1581349793/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311775981&sr=1-1
Hardcover $16.49
Kindle $9.99

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=349795&product_redirect=1&Ntt=349795&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP
Hardcover $16.49

Published by Crossway June 2011
Christian Non-Fiction/Deity of Jesus Christ/Gospels/Cults
320 pages

It is difficult to review a non-fiction book that has several contributing author's. So I will address two points.
1. What were the strengths and weaknesses of the book
2. Did the book address the goal from the introduction, "key theological themes and apply them to contemporary concerns."

1. One of the strengths in the book is that the reader has a variety of authors to choose from. Meaning differing teaching and writing styles. Where as one author maybe a little dry in his writing, rather like a lecture filled college classroom, the next chapter will have an author that has more energy and personableness. 
Another strength is the reader has the ability to glean from a background of people that have studied and taught from a seminary.
Another strength is that these authors have varying denominational backgrounds. A few from European Universities.
The main strength is that I felt each of the author's (even though from differing denominations and universities and personalities) worked together as a whole to address The Deity of Christ.
The only weakness I found was that the book was written for Christians that have above average Bible knowledge. I know more Christians that do not read and study the Bible than those that do, because of that there would be a smaller amount of people that would be interested in reading this book. Some might would be put off by its weighty theology material. As for me I loved this book and there were three chapters that I read twice.

2. Yes, I felt the book did address "key theology themes" and applied them to our current culture. 
In chapter 1 entitled The Deity of Christ Today written by Stephen J. Nichols. He wrote on how through the generations Jesus was looked at or perceived in a certain way. For example during the Victorian Era, Jesus "espoused Victorian virtues of tenderness and gentleness. He was a meek and mild savior, who always had time for children." Another example, the Jesus that is perceived by many in America today is persuaded by film, television, and fictional books such as The Da Vinci Code. The author states that Jesus even shows up on "backpacks and T-shirts."
In chapter 9 entitled The Deity of Christ and the Cults. The author took the various beliefs from early Church history and compared them to modern cults. For example: The Arian teaching. The Arian teaching believed that "Jesus was not fully human, instead he was more like an angel-like spirit creature animating a body."  The Arian teaching is compared to the Jehovah's Witnesses that believe "The King Christ Jesus now rules as a disembodied angel over the 144,000, a special class of Jehovah's Witness, who also experienced resurrection in a disembodied form."

My favorite chapter (I read twice) that addresses the title of the book, The Deity of Christ, is
Chapter 4 The Deity of Christ in John's Gospel written by Andreas J. Kostenberger. In this wonderful chapter I was given a deep lesson from the Gospel of John.
"John's Gospel is rooted in the soil of 1st Century Jewish monotheism. It was composed by an eye witness of the events surrounding Jesus' earthly ministry and has as its major purpose the demonstration that Jesus is the Christ and Son of God in order to instill in its readers resulting in eternal life." John 20:30-31
I loved this chapter on John, John's Gospel is probably my favorite book of the Bible.
Kostenberger addressed that John was "bold in proclaiming Jesus' divinity. Jesus is presented as both the pre-existent Word at creation and as the incarnate word. Both Yahweh and the Word are theos, 'God.'"
"John presents Jesus as distinct from Yahweh (not one seen) and yet at the same time as God-the incarnate God who revealed God to humans in human form." 
See John chapter 1 verses 1,14-15,17-18,30.

Thank you to Crossway for my free review copy!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell

Julietta----"In fact, that was her greatest desire and most secret plan. More than anything, she wanted to be not Italian-not some person bound by family ties and the traditions of the old country-but American." pg14

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/a-heart-most-worthy/siri-mitchell/9780764207952/pd/207952?item_code=WW&netp_id=832663&event=ESRCG&view=details
Paperback $9.99

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Most-Worthy-Siri-Mitchell/dp/0764207954/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311772348&sr=8-1
Paperback $10.19
Kindle $9.68

Published by Bethany House 2011
384 pages
Historical Fiction/World War I/Spanish Influenza/Italian/Emigration/Love Story

Thank you to Open Book from Bethany House for my free review copy.

A Heart Most Worthy is the story of three young Italian emigrant women: Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana.
Each of them have different personalities; yet they are more alike than dissimilar: they are of the same age, they are all from an Italian heritage, they are of the same religion, they are each over-shadowed by a problem, they have responsibilities in their family, and they are each gifted in an area of gown making.
The back drop to this story is the north side of Boston, and the year is 1918. World War I is being fought. The Spanish Influenza is about to make it's second round.
The young women live in an area of Boston that is congested with Italian emigrants. The Sicilians live across the street and the two do not associate with each other, they do not even speak.
The Italian community is close-nit and they look after one another, they also gossip about one another.
These three women are beautiful and full of youth and exuberance. Even though one of them has a painful past she still has the countenance of grace and beauty.
Each of them will be faced with acknowledging and rectifying decisions that were made.

Over-all I did like this book. It is not one of my favorites from Siri Mitchell.
What I disliked most about the book is that the author interjected her voice throughout the book, sort of like an emcee or a personal introducer to the characters. That 3rd voice I'll call it, even pointed out what I should notice or even what to assume about the characters. This was an interesting way of writing the book, a different take. But, I prefer to be left to my own imagination while reading a story--actually that is one of my favorite parts about reading.
What I did like about the book is the time period, the historical part of the story.
I also liked reading about Italian immigrants and their lives after they'd first come to America.
This is not a deep book, it is a light story, a love story, a story with a bit of mystery and a tiny bit of suspense.
I do feel that the front and back cover is lovely, a beautiful dress is shown.
The story is not heavy on the Christian theme, about mid-way prayer is talked about, not deeply though. There were a few more instances of prayer being talked about.
Confession is talked about and done more often.

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Mugabe and the White African on PBS Starting July 27

One Man's Stand For Justice! Don't miss this amazing story on PBS 7/26.

I'll be blogging about the book Mugabe and the White African later this month, but I wanted to let you know that Point of View will air the documentary Mugabe and the White African.

The film tells the story of Mike Campbell and his family of three generations of Zimbabwean farmers as they attempt to keep their farm under Mugabe's "land reform." Watch the trailer for the documentary below and visit the PBS Point of View website for your local listing. http://www.pbs.org/pov/tvschedule/

Trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNpBM1APaL0&feature=player_embedded

The book Mugabe and the White African (Lion Books, distributed by Kregel Publications, July 15, 2011, ISBN: 978-0-7459-5546-9, $14.95) written by Mike Campbell's son-in-law Ben Freeth provides more detail regarding the family's struggles and court battles.The book chronicles the deeply moving and life-threatening struggle of a Christian family from Zimbabwe to protect their legally owned farmland, to protect the lives and livelihoods of all those working on the farm, and to live to see justice.

Freeth lays bare a beautiful but lawless land fouled by fear. A 'Clockwork Orange' state where racism, greed, and violence are ultimately humbled by almost unimaginable courage. Richly described, bravely chronicled, and utterly compelling. 

-Mike Thomson, Radio Foreign Affairs Correspondent, BBC

Ben Freeth has an extraordinary story to tell. Like that of many white farmers, his family's land was "reclaimed" for redistribution by Mugabe's government. But Ben's family fought back. Appealing to international law, they instigated a suit against Mugabe's government in the SADC, the Southern African equivalent of NATO. The case was deferred time and again while Mugabe's men pulled strings. But after Freeth and his parents-in-law were abducted and beaten within inches of death in 2008, the SADC deemed any further delay to be an obstruction of justice. The case was heard, and was successful on all counts.

But the story doesn't end there. In 2009 the family farm was burned to the ground. The fight for justice in Zimbabwe is far from over--this book is for anyone who wants to see into the heart of one of today's hardest places and how human dignity flourishes even in the most adverse circumstances. 

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: More Than Conquerors, Extreme Devotion Series Book 2 by Kathi Macias

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37 NIV

Link for the book @Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/more-than-conquerors-kathi-macias/9781596692831/pd/692831?item_code=WW&netp_id=758688&event=ESRCG&view=details
Paperback $9.99

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/More-than-Conquerors-Extreme-Devotion/dp/1596692839/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311263979&sr=1-4
Paperback $11.69
Not available on Kindle

Book #1 in Extreme Devotion Series and link for that book is No Greater Love

Website for Kathi Macias: http://kathimacias.com/

and blog: http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com/2011/07/remember-gift-giver.html

Published April 2010 by New Hope Publishers
320 pages
Christian Fiction/Missionary/Gospel/Mexico

Hector Rodriguez lives in the border town of Tijuana, Mexico. He is the pastor of a small but close-nit Church. Hector and his wife Mariana have 3 children. Hector's mother Virginia lives with a family in the Chiapas state of Mexico, and works to bring the Gospel message to the people that are superstitious and persuaded to believe as their ancestor's did. Hector worries about his mother, although he knows she is in the Lord's will. Virginia has a small group of women that she talks to about the Bible, but evil is crouching nearby. A recent graduate of a Bible college near San Diego, Marty Johnson feels the Lord is calling him in to full-time ministry work. After graduation he heads to Tijuana and to his new friend Hector.
Each of these characters will be focused on the ONE who's Gospel message is more valuable than any other treasure.

To me the message of the book is two-fold:
1. The power of prayer, and in that I include the power of prayer against the dark forces of the evil one.
2. Forsaking all, including life, for the sake of spreading the Gospel message.

I loved this book! I have read all 4 of the Extreme Devotion series and in each of them I was carried away not only by the story itself, but by the commitment of the characters at all cost for message of Jesus.
There are several characters that are in the story, several more characters than I named in the first paragraph.
At times I wondered if the author felt as if she was juggling them, because not only do they all have the same focal point theme, but each of them has an individual story. In stating that, I never felt lost amongst the sea of characters, I also felt it added more drama, and more enticement for me to want to know--------------------
what was going to happen?
The author weaves in to the story of Virginia the back drop of a thick presence that is known to be evil. Yet, I was not afraid, nor did the author poke around too much in to that theme. It was only stated for the reader that "it" was there and yet more powerful is the Spirit of God.
I cannot tell you how happy I am that finally there has been Christian fiction books written about other cultures. The culture of this book is Mexico. Mexico is the country at our door, yet we either hear about the horrible news of drug cartel and violence, or we hear about the beautiful vacation places. I know their are Christians that are living in Mexico, working to spread the Gospel.

Link for my review of No Greater Love:
http://awell-wateredgarden.blogspot.com/2010/06/no-greater-love-by-kathi-macias.html

Look for Book 3's review in this series Friday July 29 and Book 4's review on August 5!

Blissful Reading!
Annette

The Sunday Salon

Good Sunday Morning to you!

In the past 2 weeks since I last posted The Sunday Salon I finished reading Luke, reading chapters 19-24. Next I will read the Gospel of John.
I don't know if you remember but I read all of the NT the week before Easter. This is my 2nd time to read the NT, and I'm reading it more slowly. 

As of July 4 we have a contract on our home. Maybe you've noticed my posts have been minimal. There has been so much to do in the way of paperwork, home inspection, termite inspection, and on and on for our current home. The closing date is August 16.
Meanwhile, as of this past Tuesday we have a contract on a new home that we are to close on August 17. The new home is 2 hours a way. We've had paperwork, home inspection, and on and on for our new home.
Add to this I am packing. Also trying hard to discard things I don't need and don't know why I've kept so long.
Meanwhile my dad that I care for got in a wrestling match with a door that would not open automatically at a nearby hospital, he lost. He is better, but had a nasty cut on his left forearm.

I have several books that I've read and will be posting soon on this blog: from the Extreme Devotion series by Kathi Macias--More Than Conquerors, Red Ink, and People of the Book. I'd already read and reviewed No Greater Love.
Also coming up is a theology book entitled The Deity of Christ edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson. After reading The Deity of Christ you can't say that this girl is afraid of tackling a heavy theology book!
In the month of August book tours for (these will be scheduled to post) Across the Wide River by Stephanie Reed and Mugabe and the White African by Ben Freeth with a foreword by Desmund Tutu. I also have a Suzanne Wood Fisher book for an August tour, Amish Values for Your Family.

I am anxious to move in to my new home and sit in my new office/library/study and review books on this small blog in blog-land. I will miss my routine of reading and blogging for the month of August. You will have a few scheduled book reviews to read. Do not look for The Sunday Salon nor Roundabout until September. September seems like a long time, but it is only 7 weeks away.

I do NOT intend to stop reading or reviewing or blogging. But, I'll need a small break in order to pack, move and then make a house a home (one of my favorite things to do).

While packing yesterday one of the newspapers I used was dated early February. The weather at that time was 28-32 degrees with snow and ice forecast. Ahhhhh, what a dreamy thought.....cooler weather.
My prayer is that all of you will do your best to be cool---both figuratively and literally.

Blissful Blogging!
Annette

Book Review: False Pretenses--Book #1 Secrets of Roux River Bayou by Kathy Herman

"What I think, is that you need a friend, not a judge. You can't change the past. What matters now is what you decide to base the future on." page 175

Zoe Broussard and her husband Pierce own a Cajun style restaurant in Les Barbes, Louisiana. Pierce is the chef and Zoe manages the business end. Pierce is a Cajun and proud of his heritage. He and Zoe have managed to build a good reputation in the town of Les Barbes. Locals and tourists stop in to their restaurant in order to taste the delish Cajun style food. They are thinking of planning a family. Their future appears bright and promising. Their best friends Ethan and Vanessa are planning on opening up a Bed and Breakfast at a nearby local landmark, the Langley Manor. Ethan and Vanessa have a young son named Carter that on a visit to Langley Manor meets a man that gives him candy. Ethan and Vanessa are beside themselves with the mystery of who is this person their son saw. The book begins with the introduction of these characters and the mystery of the man seen in Langley Manor. But, the story takes a turn when we find out Zoe is hiding something. She begins receiving anonymous notes stating, "I know what you did." Zoe hatches a plan of her own thinking that will cure this dark omen from her past.

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray." Robert Burns

I really liked this book!
I liked it most because of the twists in the story. I thought the story was going in one direction more than once, then it did an about face and went another way. I was left guessing at times. Another words, I did not feel the story was predictable.
I did wonder if considering the seriousness of "specific situations" if the story wrapped up a little too neat.
But in the end I understood why the author brought the ending about as she did. I'll have to leave you guessing on this last point.
Even though I live next door to Louisiana I've never visited Cajun country. I enjoyed traveling there by story in to the world of Cajun style food, mossy oaks, strong Cajun heritage, swampy land, and Cajun expressions and speech.

Kathy Herman weaved in to the story a difficult subject that has only in my generation been talked about. Yet, so many women do not come forward with their stories. Maybe even in a fiction book it will minister to those gals that have a painful past.

Link for authors website:
http://kathyherman.com/
Book Trailer on YouTube:

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.davidccook.com/catalog/Detail.cfm?sn=106671&source=search
Paperback $14.99

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/False-Pretenses-Novel-Secrets-River/dp/0781403405/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309967430&sr=8-1
Paperback $10.94
Kindle $9.99

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/false-pretenses-secrets-roux-river-bayou/kathy-herman/9780781403405/pd/403405?item_code=WW&netp_id=832308&event=PSRC&view=details
Paperback $9.99

Link for Book #2 Dangerous Mercy, Secrets of Roux River Bayou Series, will be released September 2011
http://www.christianbook.com/dangerous-mercy-secrets-roux-river-bayou/kathy-herman/9780781403412/pd/403412?item_code=WW&netp_id=904850&event=ESRCN&view=details

Blissful Reading!
Annette

Book Review: Let God Change Your Life, How To Know And Follow Jesus by Greg Laurie

"The Christian life is more than just praying a prayer and getting 'fire insurance,' so to speak." page 76

Published by David C. Cook June 2011
288 pages
Christian Non-Fiction/Spiritual Growth/Evangelism/Gospel

From the introduction: "How can we expect to fulfill the Great Commission to go into all the world and make disciples if we don't know what it means to be a disciple ourselves?"
To me this is a great question. It is probably a question that many in the Church cannot adequately answer, because in all honesty they do not know what they believe, much less what it means to be a disciple of Christ Jesus.
In Let God Change Your Life Greg Laurie focuses on basic 101 Christianity.
When Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 28:19-20 NIV,
"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
When Jesus asked them to, "go and make disciples." It was not a request, but a command. It is also a command for us as well, in telling and in living out our lives the faith that we profess in Jesus Christ.
Greg Laurie leads the reader through basic Christian doctrine for the goal of spreading the Gospel to others.
Yes, there were things I read in this book that I knew, but I was convicted about a few things as well. Conviction is not a word that grown-ups like, it makes us feel defensive like little children before an angry parent. But, conviction is a good thing, it is actually freeing, and if we remain teachable and not defiant, we can learn something that will produce the fruit of maturity. 
There were several great quotes from the book such as:
"For every person there will come a last meal, a last breath, and of course, last words. And in many ways, what we say in the end is a real insight into who we were in life, what we stood for, and what we lived for. Generally we die as we lived." page 47
"Many Christians never grow up spiritually. They still act like spiritual infants." page 76
"Jesus was not calling people to a marginal belief in Him; He called for complete and total commitment...Some people respond only to certain aspects of His message. They pick and choose what appeals to them and pretty much ignore the rest." page 78-79
And Greg Laurie stated we must "die to self." See Romans 14:7-8
I am reminded of a quote from Ed McCully in the book Beyond Gates of Splendor,
"I have one desire now to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it."
That quote is the definition of living for Christ Jesus. We live every area of our life for Him and for His Gospel.
Greg Laurie not only leads the reader through basic Christianity, but a short course on apologetics and on witnessing.
When witnessing to others he leads the reader through what to say, how to approach, and what not to say---mainly referring to a righteous attitude.
There are points in the book where Greg makes light-hearted statements.
There are several stories he shares from his own life.
At no point did I feel he was off Biblically.
He is bold, bolder that many in the Christian community in writing about words that have taken a "back seat" so to speak.
He encourages us to read and study the Bible, do not depend on someone else to tell us what is in it.
He encourages us to depend on the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel message with others, we do not depend on our own initiative and strength.
He encourages us to grow-up in our Christian faith and to not remain as a babe still being fed by a bottle.

I loved this book!
I plan on reading it again!
This would be an excellent book for a group at Church or in small group homes, and of course for individual study.
I felt Greg Laurie organized the book well.
He expressed himself well so as any level of Christian would understand.
I do think that the back cover of the book could have described more about the books strength in basic Christian doctrine. There is just so much more this book has to offer than what was on the back cover.  

Thank you to David C. Cook and B and B Media for my free review copy.

Link for the book @ Christian Book:
http://www.christianbook.com/change-your-life-know-follow-jesus/greg-laurie/9781434702074/pd/702074?item_code=WW&netp_id=867276&event=ESRCN&view=details
Paperback $9.99

Link for the book @ Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Let-God-Change-Your-Life/dp/1434702073/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1309882783&sr=8-1
Paperback $10.29
Not available on Kindle

Link for the book @ publisher:
http://www.davidccook.com/catalog/Detail.cfm?sn=106988&source=search
Paperback $14.99

Link for the author:
www.greglaurie.com

Authors radio program:
http://www.harvest.org/radio/

Authors Church:
http://www.harvest.org/church/

Blissful Reading!
Annette

The Sunday Salon

Hello and how are you on this day before July 4 Independence Day?

I did not post The Sunday Salon last week, but in the past 2 weeks I've read chapters 1-18 of Luke in the NASB.
I've also started memorizing a new Scripture,
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess."
Hebrews 4:14
I stated in the previous The Sunday Salon that I was memorizing Scripture along with Beth Moore and her blog Siesta's. We are working towards the goal of 2 Scriptures memorized every month this year, for a total of 24!
I made the commitment to not only memorize Scripture verses, but I want to memorize portions of the Bible, and I'm starting with Hebrews 4:12-16. I've already memorized verses 12 and 13.

This will be a short post today as it's a holiday weekend.
I will share that next week I'll be posting reviews of,
False Pretenses by Kathy Herman and
Let God Change Your Life by Greg Laurie.

Have a great 4th of July!

Blissful Blogging!
Annette